Why Measure Diabetes Care?

Diabetes is a prevalent and serious chronic condition and a growing problem. According to the World Health Organization, at least 171 million people worldwide have diabetes, and this figure is expected to more than double by 2030. Diabetes has high associated costs for the people who have it and for the health care system. Approximately 80% of adults with diabetes die from heart disease and stroke. Life expectancy for adults with diabetes is shorter by up to 15 years for type 1 diabetes and by 5 to 10 years for type 2 diabetes. A British Columbia study showed that adults with diabetes used, on average, 2.4 times the health resources of the general population.