- Some 40 percent of Covid deaths in the United States were among diabetics, according to recently released statistics
- While the study indicated that diabetes was implicated in up to 40 percent of Covid deaths, only 10 percent of the U.S. population suffers from diabetes
- Of note, those with poorly managed diabetes were at a higher risk of becoming severely ill or dying from COVID-19
ARLINGTON, Virginia: Some 40 percent of Covid deaths in the United States were among diabetics, according to recently released statistics.
This news prompted Dr. Robert Gabbay, chief scientific and medical officer for the American Diabetes Association, to call for people suffering from diabetes to be vaccinated.
“I can’t say this strongly enough — if you have diabetes, get vaccinated. Speak to your health care provider, discuss your concerns,” Gabbay said, as quoted by HealthDay Now.
“With the risk of hospitalization and death related to COVID-19 six to 12 times higher in people with diabetes, it’s time to get vaccinated,” Gabbay added.
The COVID-19 death statistics were announced at the American Diabetes Association’s recent online annual meeting.
While the study indicated that diabetes was implicated in up to 40 percent of Covid deaths, only 10 percent of the U.S. population suffers from diabetes.
The study was conducted by scientists at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Of note, those with poorly managed diabetes were at a higher risk of becoming severely ill or dying from COVID-19.
It was noted that the price of insulin in the United States greatly increased during the pandemic, despite 2021 being the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin.
“Here we are 100 years after the discovery and we’re still challenged by this,” Gabbay noted.
“We’re continuing to advocate in all the other states to make sure that everybody who needs insulin can get the insulin they need,” Gabbay said.