Family and Diabetes: Diabetes concerns every family
On World Diabetes Day 2018, WHO joins partners around the world to highlight the impact diabetes has on families and the role of family members in supporting prevention, early diagnosis and good management of diabetes. More than 400 million people live with diabetes worldwide, and the prevalence is predicted to continue rising if current trends prevail. Diabetes is a major cause of premature dying, blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation. It was the seventh leading cause of death in 2016.
Besides the economic burden on the health-care system and national economy, diabetes can impose a large economic burden on people with diabetes and their families in terms of higher out-of-pocket health-care payments and loss of family income associated with disability, premature death, and caring for disabled family members. Expenditure on medications and treatments are a major source of household expenditure on diabetes healthcare.
The complications of diabetes can be avoided or delayed with medication, regular screening and treatment for complications Although diabetes can be managed with generic medicines, expenditure on the more expensive branded, patented medicines is increasing. Their price is in large disproportion with what we know about their health benefits. Because of the potential to incur catastrophic personal expenditures in people without financial protection, both patients and policy-makers need to be aware of the health impact which can be expected with their use. WHO guidelines on the selection of medicines for the control of blood glucose recommend the use of generic medicines and human insulin.