Diabetes and Ethnicity

Numerous global studies and the rising incidence of diabetes have revealed one factor in particular; an individual’s ethnicity can either increase or decrease their risk of developing diabetes. Whilst in some cases this can be explained by access to healthcare and other socio-economic factors, studies have proved that even with equal access prevalence of diabetes differs between people of different ethnicity.

Furthermore, diabetes affects different ethnic groups in different ways. One Canadian expert reportedly called these “certain intrinsic differences.”

Although India and China are currently regarded as being the diabetes capitals of the world, to gain an appreciation of the variation of diabetes prevalence between different ethnic groups, the USA provides a valid model for study. The USA houses an enormously diverse ethnic mix. The National Health Interview Survey is one of the most comprehensive studies to date.

In the USA, according to results from the study, it appears that black and Hispanic people are more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. Furthermore, American Indians and Natives of Alaska are apparently more likely than any other minority to develop diabetes. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have also been found to be significantly more at risk of developing diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.

The prevalence of diabetes amongst ethnic minorities can also cause problems in terms of treatment and healthcare. The problems can stem from language barriers and non-ethnically sensitive prevention and treatment policies. Studies have repeatedly shown that the key to stemming the flow of global diabetes is early prevention, education and awareness. It is the responsibility of every nation’s healthcare system to recognise the ethnic minorities most at risk and develop culturally appropriate treatment programs for them.