The increasing prevalence of diabetes and its economic burden.

: The prevalence of diabetes is increasing: The number of people with type 2 diabetes is expected to double in the next 2 decades, and diabetes will be more prevalent in younger populations than in the past. To keep pace with these increases, managed care organizations will have the challenge of improving the management of diabetes. New therapies with enhanced efficacy and safety will be a factor in that improvement; their use may reduce costly long-term diabetes-related complications and short-term side effects, such as hypoglycemia. Epidemiologic studies and cost analyses are also discussed in this presentation.