For last week’s practice question, we quizzed participants on how much does Diabetes Cost the U.S? 69% of respondents chose the best answer. We want to clarify and share this important information, so you can pass it on to people living with diabetes and your colleagues, plus prepare for exam success!

Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer it below: Answer Question

Question: According to the recently published ADA report on the 2022 Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S., which of the following statements is most accurate?

Answer Choices:

1. 25% of health care dollars are spent on caring for people with diabetes.
2. Although diabetes prevalence remains stable, the direct medical costs attributed to diabetes increased by 7% between 2017 and 2022.
3. The cost burden of diabetes is disproportionately borne by vulnerable and underserved communities.
4. After adjusting for inflation, the total cost of insulin and other diabetes medications increased by 26% from 2017 to 2022.
5. All of the above

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Getting to the Best Answer

If you are thinking about taking the certification exam, this practice test question will set you up for success. Test writers anticipate possible answers based on the details in the question. They will wave those “juicy answers” right under your nose. Your job is to weed through the particulars, pluck out the most important elements and choose the BEST answer.

Answer 1 is incorrect. 9.44% chose this answer. “25% of health care dollars are spent on caring for people with diabetes.” Yes, a quarter of all health care dollars are spent on diabetes, with the majority of money spent on hospitalizations due to cardiovascular complications and medications. Read more details in the Diabetes Care Article, “Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. 2022.

Answer 2 is incorrect. 2.45% of you chose this answer. “Although diabetes prevalence remains stable, the direct medical costs attributed to diabetes increased by 7% between 2017 and 2022.” The cost of treating diabetes keeps increasing, putting additional financial strain on people living with diabetes. Read more details in the Diabetes Care Article, “Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. 2022.

Answer 3 is incorrect. About 10.84% of respondents chose this. “The cost burden of diabetes is disproportionately borne by vulnerable and underserved communities.” People who earn the least amount of money and live in under-resourced areas, continue to have the highest rates of diabetes and other chronic health conditions. Read more details in the Diabetes Care Article, “Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. 2022.

Answer 4 is incorrect. About 8.39% of respondents chose this. “After adjusting for inflation, the total cost of insulin and other diabetes medications increased by 26% from 2017 to 2022.” Yes, the cost of medications keeps increasing, which may prevent many people from accessing optimal diabetes treatment. Read more details in the Diabetes Care Article, “Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. 2022

Finally, Answer 5 is correct. 68.88% chose this answer. “All of the above” YES, GREAT JOB. Most of you chose the BEST Answer. Thank you for participating in our Question of the Week. All data is based on the Diabetes Care Article, “Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. 2022”, published in November 2023

We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this fun learning activity!

All data is based on the Diabetes Care Article, “Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. 2022”, published in November 2023

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Join us for our upcoming Hyperglycemic Crises, DKA & HHS Standards webinar

Airs live on December 12th, 2023, at 11:30 am PT

Topics:

• Discuss the common causes of hyperglycemic crises.
• List the differences & similarities between DKA and HHS and treatment strategies.
• Describe the causes & treatment of hyperglycemic crises.

This course discusses common causes of hyperglycemia crises. Topics include hyperglycemia secondary to medications & insulin deprivation. The differences & similarities between Diabetes Ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome are also covered. Treatment strategies for all situations are included.

Can’t make it live? No worries. We will send post the recorded version to the Online University within 24 hours of the broadcast

Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, has been Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management for over 20 years. She is an Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF, a working educator, and a nationally recognized diabetes expert. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Health from UCLA, with a focus on behavioral health and education.

All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information

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The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the diabetes certification exams. CBDCE & ADCES does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the certification exams, except for those published by CBDCE & ADCES.