Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes disproportionably affects minorities in the United States. Substantial disparities exist in diabetes incidence, glycemic control, complications, mortality, and management. The most important biologic contributors to diabetes disparities are obesity, insulin resistance, and inadequate glycemic control. Providers and health systems must also recognize the behavioral, social, and environmental factors that promote and sustain racial/ethnic differences in diabetes and its complications. Metformin and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are the most convenient drugs for treatment of diabetes in minority patients. Multilevel interventions at the patient, provider, health system, community, and policy levels are needed to reduce diabetes disparities in high-risk groups.

Keywords: Diabetes; Disparities; Ethnicity; Lifestyle changes; Obesity; Prevention; Treatment.