The data, plainly
- Non-Hispanic Black adults are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic white adults. Source: Office of Minority Health: Diabetes and Black/African Americans
- In 2022, Black/African Americans died from diabetes 78% more often than the U.S. population overall. Source: Office of Minority Health: Diabetes and Black/African Americans
- In 2021, Black/African American adults were more than twice as likely as U.S. adults overall to develop kidney failure caused by diabetes. Source: Office of Minority Health: Diabetes and Black/African Americans
- Non-Hispanic Black adults are 2.3 times more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to be hospitalized for a lower-limb amputation related to diabetes. Source: National Diabetes Month -- November 2018, NCBI/PMC
- Approximately 38.4 million Americans have diabetes; roughly 97 million are prediabetic. Black adults have a 24% higher likelihood of being diagnosed than the U.S. adult population overall. Source: American Diabetes Association
What you can do this month
For individuals: - Get an A1C test if you have not had one in the past year. An A1C between 5.7% and 6.4% indicates prediabetes; 6.5% or above indicates diabetes. - If you have prediabetes, ask your provider about the CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program. Many community health centers, YMCAs, and federally qualified health centers offer it. - If you already have diabetes, check that your care plan includes annual kidney function tests (eGFR and urine albumin) and annual eye exams. Both are recommended but underused. - Manage blood pressure alongside blood sugar. Hypertension accelerates every diabetes complication, and Black adults have among the highest hypertension rates in the world. - Talk to your provider about GLP-1 medications if your A1C is not at goal. Access to newer medications has historically been uneven by race; ask directly.
For providers: - Screen Black patients for prediabetes starting at age 35 regardless of BMI. The ADA's clinical practice standards support this lower threshold for high-risk populations. - Refer eligible patients to a CDC-recognized DPP. The program is covered by Medicare and many state Medicaid plans.
Resources
- Office of Minority Health: Diabetes and Black/African Americans -- HHS statistics and programs
- American Diabetes Association -- clinical standards, prevention programs, and community resources
- CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program finder -- searchable list of in-person and online programs
- NIDDK: Diabetes Statistics -- national surveillance data
- Black Health: Conditions -- guide to managing chronic disease
- Black Health: Find a Provider -- directory of culturally affirming endocrinologists and primary care providers
Sources
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