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Diabetes disparity: Understanding Type 2 risks for Black Americans
Black Americans have a higher risk of getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) than White Americans. The disease is also more likely to be fatal in Black people than in White individuals. Indeed, Verywell Health says Black Americans are 60% more likely to get diagnosed with T2D. It also noted that Black (and Brown) people are twice […]
Black Americans have a higher risk of getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) than White Americans. The disease is also more likely to be fatal in Black people than in White individuals.
Indeed, Verywell Health says Black Americans are 60% more likely to get diagnosed with T2D. It also noted that Black (and Brown) people are twice as likely to die from diabetes as White individuals.
Given those statistics, type 2 diabetes awareness has become more crucial than ever for Black American health. Proper knowledge can help empower individuals to adopt healthy lifestyle habits that can help cut their risks for this condition and navigate racial disparities in care.
What Happens if You Are Type 2 Diabetic?
If you have type 2 diabetes, it means your body has difficulty using insulin properly.
Insulin, a hormone that the pancreas produces, is vital to blood glucose (sugar) regulation. It helps cells take in glucose and use it for energy.
Because T2D leads to the improper use of insulin, it can make you experience the following:
- Increased thirst and hunger
- Weakness or extreme fatigue
- Vision blurriness
- Frequent urination
- Cuts or bruises that heal slowly
- Numbness, pain, or tingling in the hands and feet
Without adequate type 2 diabetes health management, you may experience long-term complications. It can damage the heart and blood vessels, feet, skin, eyes, and kidneys.
There’s also diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage). According to the American Diabetes Association, it affects half of individuals with diabetes.
What Is the Main Cause of Type 2 Diabetes?
Insulin resistance is the primary cause of type 2 diabetes. It occurs when specific cells in the body (e.g., adipose tissue or fat, skeletal muscle, and liver cells) fail to respond to insulin as they should.
Due to this “failed” response, the pancreas gets forced to make more insulin. It does so to overcome the increasing levels of glucose in the bloodstream.
Various factors can lead or contribute to insulin resistance, such as:
- Genetics
- Physical inactivity
- Excess body fat, particularly visceral fat (fat in the belly and around the organs)
- Hormonal disorders
- Excessive consumption of high-carbohydrate, highly processed foods and saturated fats
- Chronic stress
- A lack of good-quality sleep
What Are Black Americans’ Risks for Type 2 Diabetes?
The higher risk of developing or dying from type 2 diabetes that Black Americans face is not just due to biological and genetic factors. It also stems from a complex combination of these variables and social and systemic factors.
Biological and Genetic Factors
According to a 2022 study published by researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, research indicates that specific genetic variations in people with higher African ancestry make them predisposed to diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes also tends to run in the family. If you have a close relative (e.g., a parent or sibling) with T2D, your odds of getting diagnosed with this condition are higher than in people who don’t have close relatives with T2D.
Social and System Factors
Social factors that make Black Americans more likely to get diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have roots in systemic inequalities. Poverty is one, and so is having limited access to affordable, healthy food. Black individuals also tend to have fewer safe spaces to exercise.
Exposure to discrimination is another social determinant that puts Black Americans at a higher risk for T2D. As the U.S. CDC explains, there’s an association between discrimination and increased T2D, hypertension (high blood pressure), depression, and death risk.
How Do You Control Type 2 Diabetes?
Given that Black Americans already face higher risks and health disparities in diabetes, knowing how to control it is even more crucial, as proper management can help reduce the odds of the disease’s progression. It can also help prevent life-threatening events and improve overall quality of life.
One of the key steps to control type 2 diabetes is to make healthy lifestyle modifications. Examples include:
- Engaging in regular physical activity (i.e., 150 minutes of exercise per week)
- Managing weight
- Adopting a healthy diet that’s low in sugar and limits processed foods
Black Americans with T2D should also regularly monitor their blood sugar levels. Taking prescription medications (e.g., Metformin, Januvia, or Farxiga) as instructed is just as crucial. Never skip any dose, and ensure you take the proper dosage as directed.
If you want to save on your prescription diabetes medications, ask your doctor if you can switch to generic versions. Don’t forget to explore available discount coupons, such as when you order Metformin from a digital pharmacy or buy Farxiga online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?
Yes, it’s possible to reverse type 2 diabetes, particularly if it’s still in the “prediabetes” stage. If you have prediabetes, it means your blood sugar level is higher (vs. normal) but not high enough for your doctor to diagnose you with T2D.
According to the U.S. CDC, prediabetes affects around 115 million adults. However, eight in ten aren’t aware they have it. The health organization also notes that it’s reversible at this stage, such as through healthy lifestyle changes.
From being more physically active to making healthier dietary choices and losing even just a small amount of weight, these can all help you reverse prediabetes.
Is Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Possible?
Not all cases of type 2 diabetes are preventable, but a significant majority are. Even for people with genetic risks (including Black Americans), preventing T2D is possible through sustainable, healthy lifestyle choices.
What Foods Should You Avoid if You Have T2D?
Whether you have type 2 diabetes, have a predisposition to it, or are generally healthy, you should avoid excess high-sugar drinks, such as sodas. Limit intake of refined carbohydrates, too, like white pasta, rice, and bread.
Steer clear of highly processed meats like bacon and sausages. Avoid fatty foods and fried options, too.
Instead of such unhealthy choices, build your meals around whole foods, lean proteins, and fiber.
Take Control of Type 2 Diabetes
While Black Americans face higher risks for type 2 diabetes, it doesn’t mean they can no longer prevent or manage it. With healthy lifestyle choices, from focusing on nutritious foods to exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight, Black folks can get T2D under control.
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