Case for Insulindependence:

The rate of diabetes diagnosis in the U.S. is climbing at an alarming rate. At present, over 24 million Americans suffer from diabetes, representing roughly 8% of the population. Of this 24 million, approximately 3 million are diagnosed with Type I. In addition, as many as 41 million Americans are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a condition that increases the risk of developing Type II diabetes (CDC, 2008).

Although there are many causes and manifestations of diabetes, for terms of general discussion, we will use the terms Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease that causes the body to completely or almost completely stop producing insulin, the hormone that assists in allowing glucose to enter the cells and produce energy. Type 2 diabetes is most commonly a result of resistance to insulin, usually paired with some degree of insulin deficiency.

Of particular concern is the current rise of Type 2 diagnoses in children and adolescents. By and large, this is due to increasingly sedentary lifestyles. A recent estimate suggests that up to 35% of newborn children will develop diabetes (Ordonez, 2007). The good news, however, is that adopting a healthy lifestyle can drastically reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Diabetes affects people of all races, ethnicities, ages, physical abilities, socio-economic groups, and genders. Caucasians have the highest rate of Type 1 diabetes, while African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Pima Americans are at highest risk for Type 2 (ADA website).

Diabetes is not only debilitating, but it can also be fatal. According to Dr. Frank Vinicor, director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) diabetes program, two-thirds of diabetes patients will die from a heart attack or stroke. Diabetes is ranked among the top ten leading causes of death in the U.S. Every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes. In that same 10 seconds, two new people develop the disease (IDF).

As such, the disease represents an enormous financial burden to the U.S. healthcare industry, to individuals with diabetes and their families, and in many cases to employers who bear costs of insurance and lost productivity. Of course, this does not even begin to address the larger loss to society in every field and arena, as well as the individual and very personal losses to family and friends.

Estimated annual expenditures for diabetes-related care are as high as $92 billion dollars in direct medical costs alone (CDC, 2008). This means that one in ten healthcare dollars spent in the U.S. can be attributed to diabetes. With the rate of diagnosis increasing, this amount is expected to grow by more than $8 billion a year (ADA, 2008).

At the individual level, diabetes can translate into exorbitant insurance costs and out-of-pocket expenses. For the individual without medical insurance coverage, the cost of managing diabetes can be crippling. The American Diabetes Association pegs the individual annual cost of managing diabetes at roughly $7,000 (ADA, 2008).

Insulindependence is addressing these issues and the quality of life of thousands of individuals by improving the health of the diabetes community through experiential diabetes education. Unlike any other organization of its kind, iD empowers people with diabetes by surrounding them with peers and role models who share their condition, while teaching them the value of communication through positive and challenging experiences, and encouraging them to embrace self-management through active living.

By way of creative outreach in the local, national and international diabetes communities, iD teaches that fitness and recreation are in fact integral components of effective diabetes management. Insulindependence encourages individuals to expand their definition of diabetes management from solely traditional management methods, including blood testing, injecting (or pumping) insulin, and taking medication, to also include social engagement, goal setting, regular activity, and information sharing. By doing so, the burden of diabetes becomes more manageable to individuals and taxpayers alike.

Insulindependence involves individuals with diabetes, from all backgrounds and of all ages, ethnicities and physical abilities. iD programs are offered in numerous locations nationally and internationally, allowing individuals to participate without geographic barriers. iD’s reach is further enhanced by its online member network, Phrendo.com, which encourages program participants to meet and train with their peers, engage in social networking, share statistical information, and provide data for future research.

Insulindependence changes lives by offering real-world experiences to help individuals with diabetes overcome challenges and fears. Program participants gain enhanced self-images, fresh life-perspectives, enduring friendships, and deeper self-understandings that lead to improved self-management of their disease. Ultimately, this affords a higher quality of life to individuals and society as a whole.

Insulindependence currently serves people with diabetes throughout the world. Men, women, and children from the Caucasian, black and Asian communities have been involved, from ages 8 to 63. With the further development of Phrendo and the organization’s open-volunteer network (anyone can be trained to start a local program), iD is uniquely set up to serve virtually every person with diabetes who wants to be involved.