Obesity Research · Vol. 2, No. 4 · 2016 · pp. e15–e16 · e-ISSN 2377-8385

Diabetes Prevention in African-American Communities

Cynthia Williams Brown

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17140/oroj-2-e006 · Published 2016-01-04 · Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 · © 2016 The Author(s)

Also available as PDF (figures and tables appear in the PDF).

Abstract

Type-2 Diabetes (T2D) has reached epidemic proportions with the number of people being diagnosed almost tripling in recent generations.1 T2D is the most common form of diabetes and accounts for about 90% to 95% of all cases of diagnosed diabetes.1 T2D currently affects 10% of Americans, predictions are that by 2050, 1 of every 5 Americans will be affected by T2D.2 Sadly, the incidence of T2D is also among the rise in children and has been predicted to become the “new epidemic” in with an overall increase of 33% in incidence and prevalence during the past decade.3 T2D is a major health threat that not only has devastating health and psychosocial effects, but will also significantly impact health care expenses in the future.

Keywords: preventable; predictions

Conclusion

In conclusion, T2D is one of the most serious health challenges facing the African-American community. The health, psychosocial and economic impact of T2D is well documented. What is needed is a greater understanding of the impact of awareness, early risk assessment and prevention measures, specifically in the African-American community. With almost 89 million Americans having prediabetes, prevention plays a critical role in combating the devastating impact of diabetes on African-Americans and other ethnic minority populations.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services. Web site. http://www.cdc. gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/national-diabetes-report-web.pdf Updated 2014. Accessed June 1, 2015
  2. ChouCBurnetDLMeltzerDOHuangES. The effectiveness of diabetes prevention programs in community settings. University of Chicago. New York: New York State Health Foundation, 2015
  3. KaufmanFR. Type 2 Diabetes in children and young adults: a new epidemic. Clinical Diabetes. 2002; 20(4): 217-218. doi: 10.2337/diaclin.20.4.21710.2337/diaclin.20.4.217 https://doi.org/10.2337/diaclin.20.4.217
  4. American Diabetes Association (c). Economic costs of diabetes in the 2012. Diabetes Care. 2013; 36: 1033-1046
  5. Office of Minority Health. Diabetes and African Americans. Web site. http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse. aspx?lvl=4&lvlID=18 Updated 2014. Accessed July 7, 2015
  6. OgdenCLCarrollMDKitBKFlegalK. Prevalence of Obesity in the United States, 2009-2010. NCHS Data Briefs. 2012. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db82.htm
  7. SchellenbergESDrydenDMVandermeerBHaCKorownykC. Lifestyle interventions for patients with and at risk for type diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2013; 159: 543-551. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-159-8- 201310150-0000710.7326/0003-4819-159-8-201310150-00007 https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-159-8-201310150-00007
  8. Samuel-HodgeCDJohnsonCMBraxtonDFLackeyM. Effectiveness of diabetes prevention program translations among African Americans. Obesity Reviews. 2014; 15(Suppl 4): 107-124. doi: 10.1111/obr.1221110.1111/obr.12211 https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12211
  9. GoodellS. The effectiveness of community-based diabetes prevention programs. New York: NYS Health Foundation, 2015
  10. ThompsonVLSJohnson-JenningsMBaumannAAProctorE. Use of culturally focused theoretical frameworks for adapting diabetes prevention programs: a qualitative review. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2015; 12(E60). doi: 10.5888/ pcd12.140421
  11. BarreraMCastroFGStryckerLAToobertDJ. Cultural adaptations of behavioral health interventions: a progress report. Journal of Consulting Clinicals. 2013; 81(2). doi: 10.1037/a002708510.1037/a0027085 https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027085