If left untreated over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to lots of health complications. The good news is that by getting into some healthier habits, such as becoming more active and eating healthy foods, you can reduce your risk.
People from Black African, African Caribbean and South Asian backgrounds are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes from the age of This is much younger than the white population, as their risk increases from Things like walking a bit more every day can help — check out our walking events to help you get started. Making healthier food choices , such as eating more fruit and vegetables, choosing wholegrains, including some yogurt and cheese in your diet and having less processed foods can all make a huge difference to your risk level.
Maintaining a healthy weight is especially important if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Carrying extra weight, is the biggest risk factor for type 2 diabetes. There are lots of changes you can make yourself, like cooking meals at home instead of eating out or ordering takeaways. You could also try swapping to healthy fats such as olive oil instead of ghee. Why not try taking tea and coffee without sugar and having one or two days per week where you eat a vegetarian meal, instead of meat?
We're doing more research to understand why people from certain ethnic minorities have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In the meantime, find out what else you can do to reduce your risk. Now Reading:. Membership My Account. Rewards for Good. Share with facebook. Share with twitter. Share with linkedin. Share using email. Getty Images. Keep your weight down Why is obesity arguably the greatest risk factor for type 2 diabetes?
Follow a healthy eating plan A study published in a issue of JAMA suggests that a so-called Southern diet meaning high in sugar, sodium and fat may be the reason that black people are more prone to high blood pressure a risk factor for both heart disease and diabetes than white people.
Break a sweat Aim to log 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity brisk walking, swimming, cycling on a flat surface, even vacuuming at least five days a week. If you smoke, quit Studies show that cigarette smokers are around 30 to 40 percent more likely to develop diabetes than nonsmokers; heavy smokers have an even higher risk.
Get tested In addition to obesity, age is a risk factor for diabetes. Leaving AARP. Got it! Please don't show me this again for 90 days. Cancel Continue. Thank You. Your email address is now confirmed. Black individuals are less likely to use an insulin pump or CGM than their white counterparts — which may be due to failure of the healthcare professional to write a prescription for technology, insufficient information about diabetes technology, an inability to afford these devices, or subtle racism on the part of the established medical system.
Even for people who have insurance, the costs of diabetes care and a diabetes-friendly nutrition plan can be challenging for people with low incomes. Social and racial barriers widen diabetes health disparities.
There is a history of prejudice against people of color in our healthcare system: Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic individuals can have the same income, insurance, and medical condition as white people yet still receive lower quality care due to systemic racism.
This means that there are fewer healthcare professionals who can earn trust and identify with communities of color. For more information on racism in healthcare, check out Unequal Treatment. It is clear that the disparities in diabetes prevalence, care, and management can be explained in part by of a number of social determinants of health, many of which are influenced by systemic racism.
Every person with diabetes faces health barriers. But for many, the color of their skin can make successful diabetes management even more difficult and sometimes impossible. Every person with diabetes should have access to diabetes care, medication, and technology, and to living a healthy life with diabetes.
It will take extensive, collaborative, and creative work to address these disparities. We can begin by educating ourselves and others. Some good first steps include learning about the challenges faced by people of color with diabetes, about the people working to address these issues already, and about the ways to get involved.
Check out some of our other articles on these subjects:. Weight Stigma — Shifting the Narrative of Blame. Interview with Dr. Another excellent resource for learning and acting is diversityindiabetes. At diaTribe, we want to acknowledge the people and the organizations at the local, state, and national levels who are already doing the work needed to effectively tackle the health inequalities that lead to higher rates of diabetes and less favorable outcomes among people of color.
In addition to those whose jobs focus on addressing health disparities, there are other ways for people to be involved in promoting health equity. Here are some ideas to consider:. Donate to national public health organizations focused on underserved communities.
Diabetes distress and the detrimental effects of dealing with systemic racism can both lead to poor mental health. Support organizations focused on overcoming the barriers to access and providing full mental health care to communities of color. Find community health centers, multiservice organizations, food banks, and shelters in your city, county, and state — there might be a role for you as a volunteer or fundraiser.
Get involved politically; let your representatives at the local and national levels know how important it is to address health inequity. Support policymakers in local, state, and federal elections who plan to address racial health disparities and have prioritized these issues in the past. Join and support organizations like the ADA and JDRF that are leading health equity initiatives in research and advocacy for people with diabetes.
Continue to read diaTribe subscribe to our weekly newsletter , as we continue to focus on health equity for all people with diabetes. No matter what skills or resources you may have, determine how your expertise might be of benefit — particularly if you are in the health field where you can address systemic racism and health disparities.
We acknowledge that every person should have the resources to manage their diabetes and, in the case of type 2 diabetes, to prevent it.
All people, and especially people in positions of privilege, have a responsibility to help break down barriers to equal care for underserved communities. As people with diabetes and their allies, we have to do the work — and build upon the work already being done — to address racial health disparities and create more equitable and inclusive healthcare for people of color — in fact, for all of us. By Julia Kenney, Matthew Garza, and Eliza Skoler Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian individuals, and people of all non-white racial and ethnic groups are more likely to have diabetes and diabetes-related health complications than their white peers.
Furthermore, these groups were more likely to die from diabetes than non-Hispanic white Americans: Indigenous populations were 3 times more likely to die from diabetes Non-Hispanic Black Americans were 2.
How Genetics and Biology Are Involved Racial and ethnic categories are not as closely associated with genetics and biology as some people think. Main Causes of Racial Health Disparities in Diabetes Prevalence The factors we discuss here are influenced by systemic racism that is built into the social, economic, and political fabric of the United States. Income In the US, there are major racial differences in wealth. Unemployment and Health Insurance People of color in America are also more likely to be unemployed.
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