United States Grim Healthcare Future on The Brink of Teen Diabetes Unless We Come Up with Better Logistics
Teen diabetes occupied the top 2022 end-of-the-year healthcare news headlines. As U.S. News reports."
“As many as 220,000 young people under 20 could have type 2 diabetes in 2060.”
Chronic diseases are on the rise, and so is one of the most prevalent of those, Diabetes Mellitus. It is not a hidden fact that such a steep rise in chronic diseases is merely because people live longer. However, there is a catch!
Most people are living longer, thanks to the introduction of better technologies, medications, and improved medical science. Nevertheless, those who do are, for the most part, elderly folks with chronic diseases, including Diabetes.
The increasing number of chronic diseases prevalence has placed a healthcare burden, both fiscally and accessibility to quality medical care. Given the circumstances, one can comprehend the reality of age-related healthcare challenges. But, the imminent threat of teen Diabetes which is preventable, adds another challenge and significant concern to the existing modern-era healthcare.
The estimated eight-fold increase in the number of people with type II diabetes among those under 20 should serve as a loud wake-up call to healthcare leaders.
A group of scientists researched teen diabetes through funding from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH). The study has further prompted the signal highlighting the importance of managing chronic diseases. That is not only by addressing this critical healthcare issue amongst the majority elderly population but also the youth.
The research highlights the most vulnerable public sector as Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific islanders, and Native Americans.
Without a doubt, the report shines a light on the essential benefactors of this unappealing trend of increasing teen diabetes. Those are socioeconomic obstacles, health illiteracy, or both.
Childhood obesity is another new age challenge that goes hand in hand with teen diabetes. That serves as a red flag for the increase in the prevalence of heart disease, stroke, and other Diabetes and obesity-related complications in the young population.
The Solution To Teen Diabetes May Be In Education And Lifestyle Modification But Not So Fast!
Suppose one researches the topic of childhood obesity and teen diabetes. In that case, one can find thousands of literature and opinions on the solutions to this debilitating chronic disease. And I say "debilitating" not for the child, their Future, and their families. But they also affect the healthcare system, economy, and societal well-being. Yet, most of the solutions make sense and are factual too.
In today's information-rich realm, mentoring for wholesome living, thus avoiding diseases such as teen diabetes, is well-known. Adopting a healthy diet, physical exercise, and maintaining a lean physique are essential and factually backed by science.
Nonetheless, not everyone has the "means or opportunities" to clasp those resources and engage in self-care efficiently. And even further, some may need hand-holding more than others to stay focused and free from Diabetes or obesity.
Undoubtedly, every society needs to benefit from a robust plan of action and execution system. The modern scheme focuses on making available and accessible all necessary resources for everyone to stay healthy, also called Health Equity.
Every leader who intends to eradicate or contain teen diabetes and obesity must also realize that establishing health equity is fundamental to fighting chronic diseases. It will not only improve public health and reduce teen diabetes but also reduce healthcare costs.
Indeed, preventing ailments like teen diabetes or other chronic diseases needs more than patient education, engagement, and showing directions to all the resources. It also mandates modern execution and planning, thus logistics infrastructure.
Then again, what is the proper planning and execution?
The COVID-19 pandemic has put healthcare systems worldwide on a stress test. Without a doubt, invariably, every country realized the shortcomings of the traditional approach through the suffering of quality patient care and accessibility to medical service. That prompted healthcare leaders to revisit options to prevent future obstacles.
The hybrid system (combined remote and In-office) of encounter and engagement has gained significant support during the post-pandemic era. That is mere because it shifts the point of patient care outside the facilities, thus enabling remote and continual patient engagement.
Teen diabetes care also needs a hybrid model and more. This approach to healthcare logistics allows all stakeholders to collaborate and continually reinforce patient lifestyle, social needs, and knowledge base without overwhelming the healthcare system. Of course, such interaction can never come without technology and "selective" process automation integration.
Reference
- Anon., 2022. U.S. Could Face Surging Numbers of Teens With Diabetes [online]. U.S. News & World Report. Available from: //www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-12-30/u-s-could-face-surging-numbers-of-teens-with-diabetes [Accessed 1 Jan 2023].
- TABRIZ, Dr. A., 2022. The Roadmap To Healthy Aging [online]. Medium. Available from: https://medium.com/illumination/the-roadmap-to-healthy-aging-86dd9a579e0f [Accessed 1 Jan 2023].
- TABRIZ, Dr. A., 2022. Is Health Equity Achievable?! [online]. Medium. Available from: https://medium.com/illumination/is-health-equity-achievable-22687c8d8056 [Accessed 1 Jan 2023].
- TABRIZ, Dr. A., 2022. Next-Generation Digital Health Infrastructure [online]. Medium. Available from: https://medium.com/illumination/next-generation-digital-health-infrastructure-c2c11b1fd0b [Accessed 1 Jan 2023].
- TABRIZ, Dr. A., 2022. Health Equity: The Past, Now, And Future [online]. Medium. Available from: https://medium.com/illumination/health-equity-the-past-now-and-future-dd7194cf75a6 [Accessed 1 Jan 2023].
- TABRIZ, Dr. A., 2022. Amiss Digital Solutions And Their Paradoxical Effect On Health Equity [online]. Medium. Available from: https://medium.com/illumination/amiss-digital-solutions-and-their-paradoxical-effect-on-health-equity-40a293a73c0c [Accessed 1 Jan 2023].
- TABRIZ, Dr. A., 2022. The Socioeconomic Impact Of The Social Drivers Of Health [online]. Medium. Available from: https://medium.com/illumination-curated/the-socioeconomic-impact-of-the-social-drivers-of-health-bb5c389da834 [Accessed 1 Jan 2023].
Initially published by Illumination on Medium!
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