WOONSOCKET, R.I., Nov. 2 (UPI) -- The thinner wallets of U.S. patients with diabetes have resulted in less glucose testing and poorer diets, a survey by CVS/pharmacy indicates.
The CVS/pharmacy diabetes survey, conducted by Acumen in October, surveyed 4,491 people, including 3,242 patients with diabetes. The rest were parents or caregivers.
Thirty-two percent say they have been less vigilant about glucose testing due to cost and 24 percent say cost has led them to be less conscientious about maintaining a proper diet.
Forty-two percent of diabetes patients ages 18-34 report significantly higher neglect of daily glucose testing, while 40 percent report neglect of a proper diet and 39 percent report less use of medication due to cost than older age groups.
Challenges to daily glucose testing are reported more often by African-Americans at 37 percent. The figure for Latinos is 36 percent and for Caucasians it is 30 percent.
"Monitoring and maintaining healthy glucose levels is critical to prevent further complications from the disease and avoid even more significant healthcare costs," Dr. Troyen A. Brennan, chief medical officer of CVS Caremark says in a statement. "We've established a number of programs to help patients manage their diabetes and the costs associated with the disease."
MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics inside select CVS/pharmacy stores are offering complimentary A1c (glucose) tests in November while supplies last.
No margin of error was provided.
