September is National Aging Month: Resources Available on Importance of Treatment for Cataracts, Osteoarthritis and Diabetes

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of National Aging Month, the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) has released resources on the benefit and patient value of treatments aimed at three major disease areas specific to the aging population: cataracts, osteoarthritis and diabetes. These resources can be found at http://www.lifechanginginnovation.org/get-facts.

Cataracts Key Facts:

• Cataracts affect 24.5 million Americans, and the prevalence of the disease is expected to increase significantly as the population ages. The cataract caseload is expected to rise 55 percent by 2020, and 104 percent by 2050.
• Major vision problems cost the economy $35.4 billion a year.
• Cataract surgery with intraocular lens technology – the only known treatment – improves vision and overall quality of life. Research has shown cataract surgery patients live longer; there is a 40 percent lower long-term mortality risk in those who have had the procedure.
• Cataract surgery is cost-effective and provides great value to patients and the health care system. Estimates suggest that all cataract surgeries performed over the course of a single year save more than $123 billion over the subsequent thirteen years, and deliver a 4,567 percent financial return on investment to society.
• View the full toolkit and infographic.

Osteoarthritis Key Facts:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive, destructive disease of the major joints for which there is no cure. It is one of the leading causes of disability and functional limitation in the U.S.
• Osteoarthritis impacts the economy by driving up employer and health costs. Bone and joint disorders, including OA, account for 440 million lost days at work and $110 billion in lost wages each year—more than any other medical condition.
• Total joint replacement helps patients return to their lives and contributes to improved general health. Patients' physical function is shown to improve by 79 percent after total hip replacement and 56 percent after total knee replacement.
• Total knee replacement surgery generates net societal savings of approximately $19,000 per patient lifetime due to reduced disability costs and improved productivity. For all knee replacement surgeries performed in the U.S. in 2009, aggregate lifetime savings are estimated at $12 billion.
• Hip and knee implants have shown a dramatic decline in price over the past six years, at 23 percent and 17 percent, respectively.
• View the full toolkit and infographic.

Diabetes Key Facts:

• Nearly 26 million Americans are thought to have diabetes, and if recent trends continue, as many as one in three American adults could have diabetes by 2050.
• Diabetes imposes a substantial economic burden on society and is one of the costliest chronic diseases. Diagnosed cases of diabetes cost the economy $245 billion in 2012.
• Medical technologies, like advanced diagnostics, continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, have revolutionized the ways in which people are screened for and live with diabetes, providing diagnostic and treatment options that contribute to improved health outcomes and a better quality of life.
• Insulin pumps alone can save individuals nearly $6,000 per year versus not using the device. Expanded investment in technology to treat diabetes will generate tremendous net economic savings over time – $225 billion over 25 years.
• View the full toolkit and infographic.

AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and health information systems that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.

SOURCE AdvaMed