Re: U.S. Life expectancy & Health trends

[Guest guest]

Why did it shock you?

-

> I was shocked to read this:

>

> Perhaps the most significant trend is the rise in diabetes, which in

2002

> afflicted 6.5 percent of adults. In 1997, 5.3 percent had the

disease. The

> disease increases a person's risk of heart attack, kidney failure,

> infection, amputation and blindness. Being overweight greatly

> increases the chances a person will develop the disease.

>

> In 2001, about 22 percent of people 45 and older who were admitted

to U.S.

> hospitals were diabetic.

>

> " The projections are that diabetes will continue to be a bigger problem

> because of the increases in obesity, " said Amy Bernstein, the health

> services researcher in charge of the report.

>

> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45108-2003Oct4.html