African Americans and Diabetes

Marianne Lewis

Social Implication of Medical Issues

Insight of African Americans with Diabetes

August 16, 2010

Diabetes is one of the biggest health issues facing our society amongst African Americans. It is currently the 5th leading cause of death and is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure and amputation. While diabetes affects over 35 million African Americans, most do not know they have acquired the disease. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin or none at all. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to regulate starches, fruit, and food for daily consumption. There is no cure for the disease and what cause the disease is unknown; although both genetic and environmental factors such as, obesity and lack of exercise appear to play a role in the development of the disease.

Insight of African Americans with Diabetes gives readers a brief description of the different types of diabetes, treatment and management of the disease and how diabetes complications affect African Americans living with diabetes.

In the United States, 18.2 million people have diabetes mellitus. Over 35 million African Americans suffer disproportionately from diabetes mortality and morbidity, severe complication and outcomes of care. Approximately 25% of African Americans 65 to 74 has diabetes. Diabetes is the 5th leading cause of death among African Americans 45 to 64 years, and 3rd for those over 65 years; the death rate is 27% higher in African Americans than in white Americans. (EBSCOhost.com, Hanna) Diabetes is a lifelong condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or none at all. Insulin is a hormone that is required to regulate starches, fruits, and food for daily consumption. Insight of African Americans with Diabetes will provide a brief description of the different types of diabetes, the treatment and management of the disease, and how diabetes complication affects...