53 million Americans could soon have diabetes

Millions more people could soon require a prescription to buy Actos, as a team of researchers has projected that the number of diabetics in the U.S. could jump to 53 million by 2025.

The findings are based on an investigation in which researchers from the Institute for Alternative Futures analyzed current diabetes rates and used the data to make predictions on future growth in the number of diabetics.

If the prediction of 53 million diabetics by 2025 holds true, it would represent an increase of 64 percent over the numbers from 2010, according the researchers. David Nash, the editor in chief of the journal Population Health Management, which published the study, said the situation represents a national security crisis.

However, there are things that public health officials can do to turn the situation around. The researchers said the model they developed could be used to test the effectiveness of various prevention strategies. This could enable government agencies and healthcare providers develop systems to help individuals avoid developing diabetes and requiring a prescription to buy Actos.