NIH Research Matters April 2, 2012 Diabetes Prevention A Good
Investment A new study found that programs to prevent or delay
type 2 diabetes make sound economic sense. Nearly 26 million
Americans have diabetes. It's the main cause of kidney failure,
limb amputations and new-onset blindness in adults nationwide.
It's also a major cause of heart disease and stroke. Diabetes
costs the nation an estimated $174 billion per year, including
$116 billion in direct medical costs and $58 billion in indirect
costs like disability and work loss. Type 2 diabetes accounts
for up to 95% of diabetes cases. In 2002, the landmark Diabetes
Prevention Program (DPP) clinical trial compared approaches to
prevent diabetes in adults at high risk for the disease. This
NIH-led study enrolled over 3,000 overweight or obese adults
with blood sugar levels higher than normal but below the
threshold for diabetes. The participants were randomly assigned
to 1 of 3 groups. One received a lifestyle intervention aimed at
a 7% weight loss and 15