Young adults less likely to report diabetes as a serious condition

Differences in opinions were found among various age groups about diabetes and available treatments, according to recent survey results from Sanofi US.

Particularly, the generation of “millennials” (aged 18-34 years) were shown to have an uneasy mix of fear and ability to manage diabetes, according to the results.

However, 72% of them report being well versed about the condition compared with 64% of non-millennials who expressed some knowledge of diabetes. Also of note, millennials were less likely to report diabetes as a serious health condition (74%) compared with 84% of the older population.

Forty-three percent of millennials report being afraid to prink their finger to monitor blood sugar levels compared with 28% of the older responders. Fifty-four percent of millennials think that having to take insulin is “the end of the road” compared with 36% 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,” Elissa Violino, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator (CDE) with CDE Help Team of Sanofi US, said in a press release. “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.”