The number of Americans with diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. About 26 million Americans have the condition and some estimates suggest that the number will grow to half of all Americans by 2020. Diabetes costs the health care system $116 billion annually. In this series, we took a comprehensive look at how hospitals and health systems are trying to better manage the condition in their communities. There are significant implications — both from a cost and quality of care standpoint — in improving care for this population.
