Diseases Like Diabetes Expected to Skyrocket in Older Americans

As Americans age, a skyrocketing number is anticipated to be diagnosed with diabetes in the next few decades.

McKinsey analysts predicted that age-related diseases like diabetes or kidney diseases could soar by 60 percent by 2040 globally. At that time, one in six people worldwide will be over 60.

Rhianna Jones, a registered nurse at CanXida, said a combination of lifestyle factors, dietary patterns and societal changes will contribute to the growing number of diabetics and other age-related diseases in less than 20 years.

In America, specifically, the problem is likely to be exacerbated by lifestyle.

“American lifestyles often involve less physical activity due to the convenience of technology, sedentary jobs, and increased screen time,” Jones told Newsweek. “Lack of exercise is a known risk factor for various age-related diseases, including diabetes.”

The standard American diet is also prone to processed foods, refined sugars and unhealthy fats, Jones said. Together, that can create a perfect storm for obesity and insulin resistance.

That doesn’t mean there’s not an environmental component, though.

“Exposure to preservatives, additives, and toxins in the environment and food supply may also play a role in the rise of chronic diseases,” Jones said. “These substances can impact metabolic processes and contribute to inflammation.”

Even the increasing rates of depression and anxiety could uptick the rates of disease, since these conditions are often linked with overeating or poor sleep, contributing to the global health crisis.

Diabetes generally occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to regulate sugar levels in the bloodstream. While type 1 occurs largely in children when cells in the pancreas are damaged, type 2 can happen after years of poor diet and physical activity levels. At that point, the body struggles to respond to insulin.

Roughly 38.4 million people in the United States have diabetes, according to the CDC. This number, which continues to grow along with obesity, represents 11.6 percent of the population.

Even outside of the aging population, the CDC predicted that as many as 220,000 young people could have type 2 diabetes in 2060, marking a whopping 700 percent increase.

“This new research should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. It’s vital that we focus our efforts to ensure all Americans, especially our young people, are the healthiest they can be,” CDC Acting Principal Deputy Director Debra Houry said in a statement.

“The COVID-19 pandemic underscored how critically important it is to address chronic diseases, like diabetes. This study further highlights the importance of continuing efforts to prevent and manage chronic diseases, not only for our current population but also for generations to come.”

What the Future Looks Like

If rates of age-related diseases like diabetes skyrocket by more than 60 percent in a few decades, the health care system could look very different.

Jones said this will create a greater need for medical interventions, medications and long-term care, meaning the average American could see far higher health care costs,” Jones said. “Health care resources may need to be reallocated to address the growing burden of chronic diseases. This could affect the availability of health care services for other medical conditions.”

According to Kirat Kharode, the CEO of HealCo and Pinewood Family Care Co., the alarming uptick of age-related diseases is a sign that innovative change is required in the health care system, with direct primary care and enterprises between independent physician networks and employers becoming essential.

“The growing prevalence of chronic diseases threatens to overwhelm our health care infrastructure, deepen health inequities, and impose a substantial economic burden due to escalating health care costs and reduced workforce productivity,” Kharode told Newsweek.