AGING OF AMERICA AND THE RISE IN CHRONIC ILLNESS

According to the US census bureau: “at the turn of this century there were only 3.1 million people aged 65 or older, yet today there are over 40 million”. By 2030, this number is projected to grow to 71 million. This group has become one of the most rapidly growing segments of our population. 

“On January 1, 2011, as the baby boomers begin to celebrate their 65th birthdays, 10,000 people will turn 65 every day--this will continue for 20 years.”
---  Alliance for Aging Research. 

“In 2003, national health expenditures were 15.3% of the GDP, compared to 5.1% in 1960.”
---Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics 2005   

 

“By 2030, the 65 and older population is projected to be over 71 million. The 75 and older population is projected to be over 33 million.”
---Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. 2005.

"Providing health care for an older American costs 3 to 5 times more than for an individual under age 65. As the population ages, the nation's health care spending is projected to increase 25% by 2030”
---Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Merk Institute of Aging and Health. The State of Aging and Health in America 2007. Washington, D.C.: Merk Institute of Aging and Health. 2007

The Problem is Chronic Illness

“Compared to individuals with no chronic conditions, the average per capita spending for someone with 1 chronic condition is more than 2.5 times greater; with 3 chronic conditions is more than 7 times greater; and with 5 or more chronic conditions is close to 15 times greater.”
---Partnership for Solutions: Johns Hopkins University. 2002.

 

The real issue is not aging. It is the increased prevalence in older Americans of chronic illnesses like diabetes. 

The incidence of  diabetes is increasing across all age groups, not just the elderly.

“During 1997-2006, diabetes was the single biggest contributor to inflation-adjusted health care spending growth among Medicare beneficiaries.”
---"Global Prevention And Control Of Type 2 Diabetes Will Require Paradigm Shifts In Policies Within And Among Countries". Health Affairs. Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 84-92

“Diabetes prevalence in the United States increased by more than 60% between 1990 and 2001.”
---American Diabetes Association

A 60% increase in Diabetes in a Decade
1 in 3 Americans will get Diabetes

“1 in 3 Americans will develop diabetes over the course of his/her lifetime.”
---"Lifetime Risk for Diabetes Mellitus in the United States". Journal of the American Medical Association. Vol. 290, No. 14, pp. 1884-1890.

“An estimated 41 million people between the ages of 40 and 74 have pre-diabetes, and most will develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years.”
---American Diabetes Association.


Diabetes is a gateway disease. The extreme insulin and glucose levels accelerate tissue aging by damaging proteins.  The damaged proteins, AGE's, (Advanced Glycosolated Endproducts) have different electrical properties than healthy proteins. This interferes with various communication and signalling mechanisms in the body.