Where Wellness & Culture Connect
Diabetes is a devastating disease that impacts millions of Americans. It, unfortunately, heavily impacts the African American community at a rate that is hard to ignore. Just why is diabetes so prevalent in this community, and is there anything that can be done to address this problem? Fully understanding this issue and its scope can help this community fight back against worsening diabetes cases.
The reasons why African Americans are at a higher risk for this disease include a complex interplay between various socioeconomic factors. These influences can vary depending on which sector of the community is affected but are consistent throughout many parts of the nation.
In a study on diabetes, it was found that African American individuals had a significantly higher risk of diabetes than white people, at a rate of about 66 more cases per 1,000 people. This study examined how biological and socioeconomic factors influenced this risk, as well as psychosocial concerns. The many factors that influenced this problem included:
The American Diabetes Association or ADA reported that the percentage of non-Hispanic African Americans with diabetes was 11.7 percent. That’s nearly double the rates in non-Hispanic white individuals.
Furthermore, African Americans were at a higher risk of more severe diabetes complications. These included a 46 percent higher rate of diabetic retinopathy and a 2.6 times higher rate of end-stage renal disease caused by diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans because of a higher rate of obesity among this population. Type 2 is primarily triggered by obesity and the APA reports that the African American community includes a 48 percent obesity rate compared to 32.6 percent among white people. That higher obesity risk makes this condition far more likely to develop.
Diabetes is defined as a chronic health condition that impacts your pancreas and how it operates. Your pancreas creates insulin to break down the sugar or glucose you ingest when eating carbohydrate foods. The pancreas in a person with diabetes no longer produces insulin or produces it at a much lower level. This causes a dangerous increase in sugar in your blood that can damage your body. Just a few things caused by diabetes include:
These health problems develop slowly and can be either significantly decreased or stopped with diabetes treatment. Catching early symptoms of diabetes is also important because it can help those in the African American community know when they need care or special attention.
There are many symptoms that may indicate diabetes. These can vary heavily depending on the person and the severity of your condition. If you or someone you love is worried about diabetes, it is essential to pay attention to symptoms like:
BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture – our heritage and our traditions – plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.
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