Last Updated on May 4, 2024
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. Around 26 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and 79 more million Americans are considered pre-diabetic. These numbers account for close to 1/3 of the whole Untied States population. Diabetes truly is a disease of inequality.
While people of all ethnicities, backgrounds, and economic standings are affected by diabetes, some groups are seeing the disease more often than others.
You probably know the increased risk of diabetes among certain racial groups, but do you know just how much higher of a risk it is? For example, African-Americans have a much higher chance of being diagnosed with diabetes at a 77% higher chance than non-Hispanic white Americans. For Hispanic Americans, the risk is only slightly lower than African Americans at 66%. Native Americans have the highest rate of diabetes, with over 16% being diagnosed with diabetes.
The Reasons For The Racial Inequality
It’s easy to see the disparity among diabetes when it comes to minority groups, but understanding the reasons isn’t as easy. Researchers have suggested several different possible reasons for the increase of diabetes in a minority. One reason is genetics, but scientists have not defined which genetics are responsible. Most research suggests that genetics is the leading cause of diabetes among Native Americans especially.
The other leading cause of the racial disparity among diabetes is more of an economic/social concern. Data shows that groups that are in lower economic brackets are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and another chronic disease. People with lower incomes don’t have the resources available to live healthy lifestyles. Families that live off of smaller incomes are more likely to be overweight/obese, which is a major risk factor for diabetes.
Looking at the poverty rates for these minority groups does shed some light on the racial disparity of diabetes. The poverty rates of minority groups in the United States reflect the rates of diabetes in these groups: almost 26% for American Indians, over 22% of African Americans, and 21% for Hispanic Americans. These families living in poverty aren’t able to afford diabetes care, which then leads to poorly managed diabetes causing other health related complications.
Diabetes-Related Complications
Not only do minority groups have a higher chance of being diagnosed with diabetes, but they also have a higher chance of suffering from complications related to their diabetes.
African Americans are around 50% more likely to be diagnosed with retinopathy than non-Hispanic whites. African Americans are also around 2 – 4 times more likely to have complications of blindness and amputations because of their diabetes. Hispanic/Latinos have similar rates of retinopathy.
Native Americans have a 3.5 times higher risk compared to other minorities of having kidney failure due to diabetes. Amputation rates in Native Americans are also much higher than non-Hispanic whites at 3-4 times more likely.
The Take-A-Ways
So what do all these numbers reveal? While the new cases of diabetes are declining, there is still work to be done to benefit minority groups. Several programs work directly with minority groups. The American Diabetes Association has a program called, “Live Empowered” that works specifically with African Americans to reduce the frequency of diabetes and also to reduce the health complications that come along with diabetes. The National Indian Health Board has educational resources and programs to benefit Native Americans.
