Sedentary behavior and prevalent diabetes in Non-Latino Whites, Non-Latino Blacks and Latinos: findings from the National Health Interview Survey

J Public Health (2014)

Background Sedentary behavior is associated with type II diabetes, though little is known about prevalence of this behavior across racial/ethnic groups or how it may contribute to disparities in diabetes prevalence. In this study, we examined the association between sedentary behavior and diabetes in a diverse data set, and explored whether differences in sedentary behavior across racial/ethnic groups could contribute to disparities in diabetes.…

Conclusions Sitting appears to be an independent risk factor for diabetes across racial/ethnic groups, though it does not appear to account for disparities in diabetes. Read more.

The National Program to Eliminate Diabetes-Related Disparities in Vulnerable Populations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds the
National Program to Eliminate Diabetes-Related Disparities in Vulnerable Populations, a five-year cooperative agreement to reduce health disparities associated with type 2 diabetes.

What Are Diabetes-Related Health Disparities?

Diabetes affects over 29 million people, or 9% of the population,
in the United States. It is the seventh leading cause of death
in the country and can cause serious health complications,
including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-
extremity amputations. The highest rates of type 2 diabetes and
its complications exist across particular groups of the population,
such as adults 60 and older, racial and ethnic minority groups
(i.e., African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American
Indians, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and some
Asian Americans), and people with low socioeconomic status
and rural populations. Read more.

Ethnic Differences in Geriatric Conditions and Diabetes Complications Among Older, Insured Adults With Diabetes: The Diabetes and Aging Study

J Aging Health, August 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate ethnic differences in burden of prevalent geriatric conditions and diabetic complications among older, insured adults with diabetes.… Discussion: Among these insured older adults, ethnic health patterns varied substantially; differences were frequently small and rates were often better among select minority groups, suggesting progress toward the Healthy People 2020 objective to reduce health disparities. Read more.

Report raises concerns over health care among blacks

Statesman 5 March 2015

Death rates have fallen in Travis County for blacks, whites and Hispanics since 1999, but big gaps remain for African-Americans, who continue to have the highest mortality for cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

The most recent data from the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department suggest that while efforts to improve the health of local residents appear to be paying off, blacks struggle the most and Hispanics generally have lower death rates than blacks or whites. Read more.

Lessons from Medicare Advantage on Effective Treatment of Diabetes

Better Medicare Alliance, 18 February 2015

Dr. Gary Puckrein, President & CEO, National Minority Quality Forum

The scourge of diabetes is well known to all of us in the health care community, especially among those of us who work with minority populations. Approximately, one-quarter of the Medicare population has Type 2 diabetes, and the numbers are only increasing. The current fee-for-service system is not conducive to effective diabetes care. Patients are predominantly treated in primary care practice settings where providers have limited time and are often ill-equipped to deal with the complex medical and psychosocial needs of diabetic patients. Read more.

Navajo Nation Turns to Plant-Based Foods to Reverse Diabetes

Indian Country Today Media Network: 7/30/14

Diabetes in Indian country is an on-going theme—as are the efforts to combat the disease. One of the most recent steps forward took place recently (July 18-19) at the inaugural International Conference on Diabetes where global researchers weighed in on a surge in Type 2 diabetes—and the role of dietary intervention as a first-line treatment. Nearly three dozen researchers from six countries and leading research institutions presented the current-day status of their investigations involving risk factors and lifestyle interventions as a starting point toward better health. Read More

Association of genetic predisposition to obesity with type 2 diabetes risk in Han Chinese individuals

SPRINGER: 25 Jun 2014

Aims/hypothesis

Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, but little is known about the contribution of BMI-associated loci to type 2 diabetes risk in East Asian populations.

Methods

In this study, 30 known BMI-associated variants and a genetic risk score (GRS) calculated by summing the BMI-increasing alleles of these variants were tested for associations with type 2 diabetes and related glycaemic traits in 1,873 cases of type 2 diabetes and 1,839 controls in Han Chinese individuals. Logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to determine the association with type 2 diabetes risk or related glycaemic traits, respectively, under an additive model with or without adjustment for BMI. Read More