The latest weapon launched to wage war on Diabetes
Think of the most fearful killer disease you might suffer from.
Chances are, you might reckon it’s cancer.
Or perhaps a heart attack (ischemic heart disease).
Maybe even a stroke (cerebrovascular disease).
There is a new kid on the block when it comes to killer diseases – which is diabetes – and you may already have it without knowing.
Oh, by 2050, nearly 1 million Singaporeans could already be affected by diabetes.
https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/pressRoom/highlights/2016/Budget2016/the-fight-against-diabetes.html
Diabetes: a 60 Second summary
What is it?
Simply put: It is a high blood sugar level in a person for prolonged periods.
That doesn’t sound too scary, but the complications are.
They include a vastly increased risk of:
-Blindness
-Heart Disease
-Stroke
-Kidney failure
-Foot ulcers often leading to amputation
There are 3 types of Diabetes:
Type 1
High blood sugar levels due to the body’s inability to produce insulin (the hormone that lowers the blood sugar level). This is usually present in children and newborns, hence also known as “Juvenile Diabetes”
Type 2
High blood sugar levels due to the body failing to respond to insulin properly. This is also known as insulin resistance and the most common form of diabetes. It mainly afflicts adults, which is why it is also known as “Adult-onset diabetes”.
Gestational
This occurs in pregnant women who develop high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Diabetes
– Increased thirst
– Unexplained fatigue
– Blurred vision
– Numbness in limbs
– Unexplained weight loss
The scary part? Most of the symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes develop slowly, so many of us are not even aware of them.
Risk factors and known causes
Lifestyle factors and genes. We can’t do anything about our genes, but negative lifestyle factors include:
– A sedentary work routine
– An unhealthy diet
– Obesity
Facts about diabetes
Get ready for some really bad news.
Singapore has the 2nd highest proportion among developed nations, right after the USA.
3 in 10 of all adults before age 40 have diabetes.
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/singapore-has-2nd-highest-proportion-of-diabetics
space
More than 30% of diabetics have not been diagnosed
http://www.idf.org/membership/wp/singapore
space
Only a small proportion of them are insured (2%)
Based on AIA Singapore’s records of 1 million customers, only 1 in 50 are registered as diabetics. That means for every one diabetic receiving insurance cover, 14 others are doing without.
space
Other statistics about diabetic complications
25X more likely to be blind
Up tp 3X more likely to have heart attacks
50% of diabetic patients have kidney disease
50% more likely to have a stroke
60% of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations are due to diabetic sufferers
And finally,
Singapore has one of the world’s highest diabetes-related leg amputations in the world.
Public hospitals here conduct up to 4 amputations daily.
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/kidney-failure-rates-in-singapore-on-the-rise
Diabetics and Life Insurance: Strange bedfellows
If diabetic patients obviously need cover and protection more so than others, why aren’t they buying more insurance?
Because they can’t.
95% of Type 2 patients have had at least 1 diabetes-related condition
&
70% of them suffer from both hypertension and high cholesterol
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21599865
These conditions make insurance extra costly for diabetics or make it impossible to get cover at all.
A new weapon launched
AIA Singapore has unveiled a new policy designed to provide protection, just for diabetic patients. It is Singapore’s first insurance plan designed for Type 2 diabetics.
Name: AIA Diabetes Care
What it is: A stand-alone Term (regular premium) plan specifically covering major diabetic conditions
Who can purchase it: Diabetics and Pre-Diabetics (People with elevated blood sugar, but not high enough to be considered diabetic)
What does it cover:
-blindness
-Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
-Heart Attack of Specified Severity
-Kidney Failure
-Stroke
-20% payout upon limb amputation due to diabetes
Key Features:
-available for ages 30 – 65, and guaranteed renewable till age 80
-simple underwriting, without the need for medical examinations
-cover amount up to 250K
-additional cancer protection available, separate from diabetes conditions
-combined with AIA Vitality (AIA’s wellness program), premiums will be decreased up to 15% as your health status improves
Clearly Surely chimes in
It is definitely a one of a kind plan that specifically caters to diabetics, who do not qualify for many other kinds of insurance. Diabetics are people who have an increased need for insurance but usually find it hard to obtain – until now.
Combined with the optional and separate cancer protection, AIA Diabetes Care is nothing less than a godsend.
Combined with the AIA wellness program called Vitality, policy premiums can also be reduced by up to 15% annually. (conditions apply)
Win the war against diabetes now.
www.ClearlySurely.com aims to eradicate the knowledge gap between consumers and Life Insurance. Our Vision is that one day, every Man, Woman, and Child will be properly insured.
We thank AIA Singapore for inviting us to their product launch and sharing these details. All links, facts, and statistics furnished by AIA Singapore.
The post The latest weapon launched to wage war on Diabetes appeared first on Singapore's Life Insurance Blog: Expert and Unbiased Views.
