Diabetes’ health toll hits $174 billion annually

Diabetes-related medical and economic costs in the United States hit $174 billion in 2007, a 32 percent increase from 2002, according to a study commissioned by the American Diabetes Association. The research, found medical care costs for people with diabetes were about $116 billion, and a disproportionate percentage of those costs resulted from the treatment and hospitalization of people with diabetes-related complications.