Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects millions of people each year. Individuals faced with the chronic illness suffer from high medical expenses as well as higher life insurance premiums.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, diabetes affects 25.8 million people of all ages, which equals out to about 8.3 percent of the U.S. population. It is also reported that about 7 million of those individuals are actually undiagnosed.
Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke; leading cause of kidney failure; and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
For those diagnosed, it is extremely important to follow their physician’s instructions in order to keep their blood sugar level at the appropriate level. Doing this will increase one’s health and even qualify them for lower medical and life insurance rates.
Life insurance underwriters will want to review your type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes history as well as your current diabetes information – including diabetes medications, diabetes control, and overall health — as part of the underwriting process.
In fact, life insurance underwriters look at your entire health history when it comes to life insurance underwriting for diabetes life insurance.
A growing number of people are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The condition is often brought on by poor lifestyle choices. The disease has become so prevalent that a number of retail pharmacies and health clinics are stepping in to help people manage the condition.
Proper diet and exercise can both prevent and treat type 2 diabetes.
“Eating a well-balanced diet, including appropriate activity and taking medications as prescribed by your doctor are key when living with diabetes,” said registered dietitian Kim Kirchherr.
Family history may also impact one’s likelihood of developing diabetes. Those who think they have the condition should seek a professional to get tested and to prevent any future complications.