ABSTRACT
Diabetes is one of the most complex and significant chronic diseases requiring health care. Diabetes is largely a disease affecting those in middle and old age. Prevalence rates of diabetes are especially high in minorities within the general population of Medicare patients. In a survey by the American Diabetes Association of the economic burden of diabetes in the United States, total direct and indirect costs of diabetes were estimated nationwide at 132 billion dollars. Disease management is a complete and comprehensive method of providing health care that focuses on management of care across the continuum for populations of patients with chronic diseases. The health-care system is structured and financed largely to manage acute care episodes, not to manage and support individuals with progressive chronic diseases. The health-care team is provided with standardized patient educational materials so that the patient is receiving consistent information.
