BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Oct. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi US announced today the findings of a new survey that reveals striking differences in opinion among various age groups about diabetes and available treatment options. In particular, the generation known as "millennials" (those aged 18 to 34) shows an uneasy mix of fear and ability to handle managing their diabetes, which is being diagnosed at a rate of 1.7 million new cases every year1.
Millennials rate themselves having better knowledge of diabetes than do Americans ages 35 and older, with 72 percent of millennials indicating they are well versed about the condition versus the 64 percent of non-millennials who expressed some knowledge about diabetes. Despite this self-reported understanding, millennials are less likely than older populations to think that diabetes is a serious health condition; overall, 74 percent of millennials think it is serious compared with 84 percent of the older survey respondents.
An estimated 29.1 million Americans1, or 9.3 percent of the population, are living with diabetes, including an estimated 8.1 million who remain undiagnosed. If current trends continue, one in three2 Americans could eventually be diagnosed with diabetes. With diabetes an increasingly common health concern, it is more important than ever that those living with the condition have an understanding of disease management and treatment options. Millennials' attitudes towards managing diabetes prove unique. Consider the following statistics:
- More than two-fifths of millennials (43 percent) report they are scared of pricking their finger to monitor blood sugar levels, compared with 28 percent of older respondents.
- More millennials living with diabetes confess that they think having to take insulin is the end of the road; half (54 percent) think this, compared with one-third (36 percent) of older respondents.
"With high levels of education and unprecedented access to information, millennials have the means to know more about diabetes than any generation in history," said Elissa Violino, registered dietician and certified diabetes educator (CDE) with CDE Help Team*, Sanofi US. "Diabetes is becoming more common, so it is necessary that we provide all people, including millennials, with the information and tools they need to help reduce the risk of or help manage their diabetes, as well as understand treatment options."
Medical advances have led to numerous treatment options that can help manage blood sugar levels, an essential task for people living with diabetes, and insulin continues to be among the key medications prescribed by healthcare providers to people whose bodies either do not produce insulin (type 1 diabetes) or do not use insulin properly (type 2 diabetes)3. As the prevalence of diabetes increases, an understanding of insulin therapy (in conjunction with a diabetes treatment plan, which may include diet, exercise and other diabetes medications) is essential. The survey findings show that many young people and others living with diabetes believe insulin is the end of the road is concerning, and it reinforces the need to educate people that insulin may be an important component.
Lantus® (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection), a long-acting insulin, can help control blood sugar levels. Lantus is the only 24-hour insulin approved exclusively for use once a day and is available in the Lantus® SoloSTAR® (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) pen, a disposable prefilled insulin pen that helps deliver the correct dose time after time to help improve blood sugar control.
Market Probe International fielded the survey online on behalf of Sanofi US in August 2014. The survey achieved a random and representative sample of 1,002 respondents from the continental United States plus Hawaii.
About Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection)
Prescription Lantus is a long-acting insulin used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and adults and pediatric patients (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes for the control of high blood sugar. It should be taken once a day at the same time each day to lower blood glucose.
Do not use Lantus to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.
Important Safety Information for Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection)
Do not take Lantus if you are allergic to insulin or any of the inactive ingredients in Lantus.
You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Lantus. Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision.
Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus with any other insulin or solution. It will not work as intended and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be serious. Lantus must only be used if the solution is clear and colorless with no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with others.
Tell your doctor about other medicines, especially ones called TZDs (thiazolidinediones), and supplements you are taking because they can change the way insulin works. Before starting Lantus, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including if you have heart failure or other heart problems, liver or kidney problems, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed. If you have heart failure, it may get worse while you take TZDs with Lantus.
The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus, is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision. Severe hypoglycemia may be serious and life threatening. It may cause harm to your heart or brain. Other possible side effects may include swelling, weight gain, injection site reactions, including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including itching and rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life threatening.
Please see the accompanying full prescribing information or visit http://products.sanofi.us/lantus/lantus.html.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, emerging markets and animal health. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
Sanofi is the holding company of a consolidated group of subsidiaries and operates in the United States as Sanofi US, also referred to as sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC. For more information on Sanofi US, please visit http://www.sanofi.us or call 1-800-981-2491.
* "Certified Diabetes Educator" and "CDE" are certification marks owned and registered by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE). NCBDE is not affiliated in any way with Sanofi US. NCBDE does not sponsor or endorse any diabetes-related products or services.
Contact:
Susan Brooks
US Diabetes Communications
T: (908) 981-6566
E: Susan.Brooks@sanofi.com
References
1 The American Diabetes Association, Statistics About Diabetes (Updated August 2014). http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/. Accessed August 28, 2014.
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Press Release (October 2010). http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r101022.html. Accessed August 30, 2014.
3 The American Diabetes Association, Insulin & Other Injectables. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medication/insulin/. Accessed September 8, 2014.
SOURCE Sanofi