Diabetes is an equal-opportunity disease; it strikes men and women, young and old. But it does seem to be more discriminating when it comes to race and ethnic make up. The American Diabetes Association estimates that 23.6 million people, or about 7.8 of the population, have diabetes.
Native Americans, African Americans and Latinos, as well as anyone with a family history of the disease, has an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.
Here's a look at how diabetes strikes across racial lines:
Non-Hispanic Whites By the numbers: Among non-Hispanic whites, there are 14.9 million, or 9.8 percent, aged 20 years or older who have diabetes.
Native Americans After adjusting for population age differences between the ethnic groups, the Center for Disease Control estimates the rate of diagnosed diabetes was highest among Native Americans and Alaska Natives. By the numbers:
The ADA states that African Americans, compared to the general population, are disproportionately affected by diabetes. They are 1.6 times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. By the numbers:
By the numbers:
Native Americans, African Americans and Latinos, as well as anyone with a family history of the disease, has an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.
Here's a look at how diabetes strikes across racial lines:
Non-Hispanic Whites By the numbers: Among non-Hispanic whites, there are 14.9 million, or 9.8 percent, aged 20 years or older who have diabetes.
Native Americans After adjusting for population age differences between the ethnic groups, the Center for Disease Control estimates the rate of diagnosed diabetes was highest among Native Americans and Alaska Natives. By the numbers:
- 16.5 percent of the American Indians and Alaska Natives ages 20 years or older have diagnosed diabetes.
- A Native American tribe in Arizona reportedly has the highest rate of diabetes in the world, with approximately 50 percent of the tribe between the ages of 30 and 64 having the disease.
The ADA states that African Americans, compared to the general population, are disproportionately affected by diabetes. They are 1.6 times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. By the numbers:
- 3.7 million or 14.7 percent of all African Americans aged 20 years or older have diabetes.
- Twenty-five percent of African Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have diabetes.
- One in four African American women over 55 years of age has diabetes.
By the numbers:
- 10.4 percent of Hispanics/Latinos ages 20 years or older have diagnosed diabetes.
- Among Hispanics/Latinos, diabetes prevalence rates are 8.2 percent for Cubans, 11.9 percent for Mexican Americans, and 12.6 percent for Puerto Ricans.
