Diabetes and Health Equity: CDC's Approach

Across the United States, some racial and ethnic minority groups and people with lower socioeconomic status have historically had higher rates of illness and death from diabetes, and the gap has not narrowed substantially. CDC publishes the latest diabetes statistics by race, ethnicity, income, education and type of diabetes.

Why the gap persists

Social determinants of health, the conditions where people live, learn, work and play that shape their health risks and outcomes, account for 50% to 60% of health outcomes and are a key driver of disparities in health and health care.

CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT) aims to reduce, and one day eliminate, disparities among people with or at risk for type 2 diabetes. Through prevention and education programs and partnerships, it works with groups at higher risk of type 2 diabetes or its complications in ways that reflect their cultures, languages, customs, traditions, foods and physical activity. Health equity is a core pillar of the division's strategic plan, which aims to improve access to care for all Americans with diabetes or at risk of type 2 diabetes.

What the division does

• Preventing type 2 diabetes. CDC helps national organizations expand access to the National Diabetes Prevention Program's lifestyle change program for everyone at risk, especially in places with limited resources.
• Diabetes education. It works to extend diabetes self-management education and support services through new programs and approaches.
• Indian Country. The Native Diabetes Wellness Program promotes type 2 diabetes prevention and overall health, balancing cultural practices and Western science.
• Appalachia. Much of Appalachia is called the "diabetes belt" because of its high diabetes rates, yet many people there have much less access to health care than people elsewhere. CDC has worked with organizations and communities in the region to reduce the burden of diabetes and improve health.

The division's stated commitment is that every person should have the information and opportunity to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and to live well with diabetes, working with the wider public health community to achieve health equity.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Diabetes Translation, "Advancing Health Equity: Diabetes." https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/health-equity/index.html
• CDC diabetes data and statistics: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/