title: Facing type 2 diabetes in the healthcare reform era.
abstract: One of the greatest challenges facing healthcare systems today is the management of chronic disease. Patients with chronic diseases often require multiple medications, frequent physician visits and monitoring, and even hospitalization. Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in the United States, affecting over 20 million Americans. Diabetes causes significant morbidity and mortality and places a tremendous strain on the American healthcare system. One of the greatest contributing factors to the increase in diabetes prevalence is the increased incidence of obesity; in 2000, almost 20% of Americans were considered obese. In order to fight the growing prevalence of diabetes, numerous guidelines and consensus statements have been issued to lay the groundwork for the management and prevention of this chronic disease. Despite these efforts, significant barriers remain. These barriers may only be overcome through significant change within the healthcare system. Value-based insurance design is one method that has the potential to bring about the necessary change to fight chronic diseases such as diabetes. Further investigation of clinical practice and payer models is necessary to resolve some of the interrelated clinical and economic issues associated with its implementation.
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000639:trends*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology