Why Americans Fear The Flu, But Don’t Fear Type 2 Diabetes

As we head into “flu season” flu shot advertisements are seen everywhere.

Let’s step back for a moment and look at the REAL NUMBERS to determine where our FEARS need to be focused:

The Flu:

• 5% to 20% — Between 9.2 – 35.6 million people in the U.S. will get the flu each year.

• 200,000 — Average number of Americans hospitalized each year because of problems with the illness.

• 3,000 to 49,000 — Number of people who die each year from flu–and flu related causes in the U.S.

(REFERENCE: WebMD: What are your odds of getting the flu?)

Type 2 Diabetes:

• 9.4% of the U.S. Population– As of 2015, 30.3 million Americans, had Type 2 Diabetes. 1.5 million new cases are diagnosed each year.

(REFERENCE: American Diabetes Assoc: Statistics on Diabetes)

• 7,700,000 — In 2012, number of Americans hospitalized because of diabetes.

(REFERENCE: National Institute of Health: Management of Diabetes and Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized Patients )

• 79,535 —Number of people who die each year in the United States DIRECTLY from diabetes.

• 252,806 –Number of people who die from diabetic related causes in the U.S.

(REFERENCE: American Diabetes Assoc: Statistics on Diabetes)

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Using these numbers, let’s do a direct comparison:

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THE FLU:

• U.S. Population — Between 9.2 – 35.6 million people in the U.S. will get the flu each year.

TYPE 2 DIABETES:

• U.S. Population– (As of 2015,) 30.3 million Americans, had Type 2 Diabetes. 1.5 million new cases are diagnosed each year.

THE FLU:

• 200,000 — Average number of Americans hospitalized each year because of the flu.

TYPE 2 DIABETES:

• 7,700,000 — In 2012, number of Americans hospitalized because of diabetes.

THE FLU:

• 3,000 to 49,000 — Number of people who die each year from Flu or Flu-related causes in the U.S.

TYPE 2 DIABETES:

• 79,535 —Number of people who die each year DIRECTLY from Diabetes in the United States.

• 252,806 –Number of people who die each year from Diabetic related causes in the U.S.

Maybe this REALITY will help some of you understand the need to CHOOSE a LIFESTYLE that combats both of these health imbalances as well as cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer. Assuming a hypodermic needle keeps us HEALTHY is simply wrong. It may help overcome an acute crisis, but it will NEVER replace the essential needs each of us must provide OURSELVES in order to achieve and maintain quality health.

As a physician that practiced for over 20 years, I was exposed to many types of viral and bacterial infections on a daily basis without ever receiving a vaccination. If the true cause of disease was merely EXPOSURE, I would have been sick on a regular basis. In reality, I missed 4 days of work over my 20+ years in practice. (2 episodes lasting 2 days each.)

One should never make a choice between the flu vaccine and lifestyle. It is important to understand that LIFESTYLE plays a vital role in life while VACCINATIONS play a  supportive role in life (if one chooses this option.)

Are you making the FLU SHOT your priority or are you making your LIFESTYLE your priority?

Tags: attitude, disease, doctor, Flu, health, lifestyle, quality of life, responsibility, vaccines