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  1. Health and Nutrition News

  2. Jul 11, 2022

1.2 Million Americans Spend More Than 40% of Family Income on Insulin

Survey data published in Health Affairs of those who fill at least one insulin prescription show 1.2 million Americans spend more than 40% of their family income on insulin. As insulin prices doubled over the last decade, risk factors such as household income and insurance type leave Medicare beneficiaries and other low-income patients at risk for catastrophic out-of-pocket medication costs.


Research from the Physicians Committee shows a low-fat vegan diet significantly reduces the need for medication among diabetes patients, prevents complications, and lowers the risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Learn more about diet and diabetes prevention at PCRM.org/Diabetes.

References

  1. Bakkila BF, Basu S, Lipska KJ. Catastrophic spending on insulin in the United States, 2017-18. Health Aff (Millwood). 2022;41(7):1053-1060. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01788
  2. Barnard ND, Cohen J, Jenkins DJ, Turner-McGrievy G, Gloede L, Jaster B, Seidl K, Green AA, Talpers S. A low-fat, vegan diet improves glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in a randomized clinical trial in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2006;29(8):1777-1783. doi:10.2337/dc06-0606

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