Common diseases Diabetes and hypertension

Diabetes and Hypertension: Poorer people more at risk

01/06/2013

For the first time, the results of a study by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) sound encouraging: Three quarters of Germans feel fit. However, other results are also becoming clear: diabetes continues to increase and poorer people are more affected by almost all diseases.

Positive development in the elderly
For the so-called DEGS Health Study (study on adult health in Germany), employees of the Robert Koch Institute interviewed a total of 8,152 adults aged 18 and over, how healthy they feel. The majority of the participants were also medically examined. The results were positive: three-quarters of respondents said they felt fit. Even half of those over 70 rated their health as good or very good. RKI employee Thomas Ziese speaks in particular of older people from a positive development since 1998, the year when the previous study was published.

One third more diabetes illnesses
However, the apparent positive trend must not obscure other, negative results. For example, it was found that one third more people in Germany were diagnosed with diabetes than ten years ago. In addition, about seven percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 79 in Germany were affected by this metabolic disorder. The proportion of 70 to 79-year-olds was particularly high at 22 percent. Stefanie Gerlach, Head of Health Policy at Deutsche Diabetes-Hilfe, said: „We were surprised at how massive the number of people with diabetes has increased.“ In addition, the number of unreported cases of the disease is very high, since an average of ten years passed before the diagnosis. With timely recognition, measures could often be taken during this time to avoid secondary diseases. To diagnose diabetes more quickly, regular health checks, questionnaire-based determination of risk factors, and suspected targeted diabetes testing are needed. „Diabetes does not hurt. In the initial stage, the disease may be asymptomatic - or symptoms such as fatigue are too nonspecific and are not properly classified.“ Therefore, diabetes assistance calls for a national strategy to address prevention, early detection and care deficits.

Hypertension increases heart attack risk
Of the German citizens, almost a third have hypertension. Here, either the upper, systolic value is above 140 or the lower, diastolic, above 90. This result must be seen as a warning, because high blood pressure increases the risk for many diseases enormously. Of the 40 to 79-year-olds, almost three percent suffer a stroke and just under five percent get a heart attack, which is thus the number one cause of death in Germany. However, the study does not yet reveal whether there was an increase in hypertension regardless of the age structure. „These calculations are very complex“, Ziese says. „The evaluations are still running.“ The situation is similar with mental illness such as depression. Although the number of diagnoses had clearly increased, only further analyzes should clarify whether this reflects an increased burden on people.

150 minutes of exercise a week
About one in two women and two out of three men are too heavy, according to the study. About a quarter of Germans are even very overweight. It is not just in this country that obesity is a growing problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around three million people worldwide die each year as a result of being overweight. Health experts estimate the number of overweight people to be about half a billion people worldwide. Only one third of the German population takes care to be sufficiently athletic. Experts recommend that you exercise moderately at least 150 minutes per week. „Our society does not make it easy for us to move and eat healthily“, criticizes Mrs. Gerlach. For example, escalators and elevators would prevent people from moving enough. Also with the nutrition a rethinking should take place. Thus, the expert considers a simple and understandable food labeling necessary: „Levels of sugar, fat, salt and fiber should be color coded on the package. Green means: good, yellow is okay in moderation, red means respect, seldom eat.“

Need for action in the case of alcohol and tobacco consumption
The consumption of alcohol and tobacco is widespread in young people. On average, every second man and every third woman between the ages of 18 and 29 risks the health of drinking alcohol. Likewise, smoking is the most prevalent in this age group. According to the study, every fourth woman and every third man in this country smoke. Therefore, the scientists see further need for action here in order to limit risks.

Increased risk of disease in poverty
The results of the study on the relationship between health and financial conditions are frightening. So the feeling of how healthy somebody feels strongly depends on the social class. So Ziese meant: „Health depends heavily on the social position.“ People with lower incomes are more susceptible to almost all diseases, from diabetes and high blood pressure to heart attacks and strokes, to mental disorders. The website "gegen-hartz.de" even reported that contrary to the general trend, the life expectancy of low earners in Germany has dropped significantly. People with lower incomes are also more likely to be overweight. Gerlach says: „Healthy foods are often more expensive than unhealthy ones.“ Consumers should, in their view, be seduced into healthier behaviors. For example, canteens and schools could offer a selection of delicious, healthy dishes. „Policies can make it easier for us to stay healthy.“ That would also be the aim of the study. According to the Robert Koch Institute, the report aims to reach all players in the healthcare sector: federal, state and local governments, as well as doctors and health insurances. (Sb)