Why Is Diabetes a Serious Health Problem for Older Adults?

One in four people over the age of 65 has diabetes, making it the most common chronic disease in older adults. Endocrinologist Jack Merendino, MD, explains why it's so common in this video.

Transcript

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Diabetes is a serious health problem for almost anyone but it's particularly serious for older adults largely because it's so common

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in the population of older individuals. Turns out that one in four people over age 65 has diabetes which makes it the most common

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chronic disease of older individuals. The most costly chronic disease to treat and one of the major causes of premature mortality in

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people. So, diabetes remains one of the top two leading causes

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of blindness, kidney failure, and dialysis, and leg amputation for all people including people who are over age 65.