CDC: Many Young Adults with Diabetes Not Seeing Physician Regularly

According to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 19% of US young adults with diabetes had not seen a doctor in the past 6 months. The study looked at 2013 government health data of 3600 adults with diabetes and found that 81% of those between 18 and 39 years of age had seen a healthcare professional to have blood pressure and cholesterol levels evaluated in the past 6 months versus 89% of those 40 to 64 years old, and 93% of adults ≥65 years of age.

The study also found that the number of patients taking a diabetes medication increased from 71% in those 18 to 39 years of age to 86.5% in patients ≥65 years of age.

Patients should be monitored every 6 months or more often if their blood sugar levels are not well managed. Continued medical care is necessary for people with diabetes in order to regulate glucose levels and to prevent and treat complications that may arise, including nerve damage, particularly in feet, and retinal damage. To combat this, physician visits are recommended every 6 months, but according to the CDC, younger adults with diabetes are much less likely to checkup with eye and foot specialists than older adults.—Rosemarie Bodrucki
 

Reference

1 in 5 Younger Diabetics Lacks Good Medical Care, Study Says