The latest estimates peg the number of people in the United States with diabetes at more than 24 million or almost 8 percent of the nation's total population. And, the numbers are likely to increase dramatically. The American Diabetes Association says that 57 million people are at risk of type 2 -- adult onset -- diabetes.

A quiet session on Friday ended with stock prices trending lower for the third consecutive day.

Stocks finally took a pretty good hit yesterday. The Dow Jones industrials fell 93.87 points to 10,332.44, although the index had been down more than 170 points earlier in the day. It was only the third time in November that the Dow has traded lower (out of 14 sessions). Concerns about the job market and rising foreclosure activity heading into 2010 put fear into investors. It is interesting that the media equates every unemployed person with being a homeowner. Sure, I realize that many homeowners have been impacted by rising unemployment, but it is true that many people who have lost jobs are renters.

Stock prices declined Thursday over concerns about continuing job losses.