Health Disparities in Type 2 Diabetes

Health Disparities in Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction

Health disparity can be defined as the difference that exists in a population or group of people that affects the attainment of their full health potential. Health disparities can be measured by the burden of the condition or disease to a particular group, mortality, prevalence, and other adverse health conditions. Disparity majorly occurs between ethnic groups or races, gender, age, geographical location, and socioeconomic status (Williams et al., 2010). It is said that the ethnicity or race of an individual determines their ability to achieve optimum health. Also, it is essential to note that health disparities can arise from issues of health inequalities that tend to separate groups of people using a system that is more inclined to ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

Health Disparities in Type 2 Diabetes

Currently, diabetes type 2 diabetes can be considered as a health condition that clearly shows the existence of health disparity. America’s population consists of people from different ethnic groups or races, and chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes tends to affect each group differently, which leads to disparities. In America, type 2 diabetes has affected more other ethnic groups, more that it has affected the natives Americans.  According to Osei & Gaillard (2017) says that African Americans are more likely to be affected by type 2 diabetes as compared to American. It is clear that diabetes has become a major global problem, especially for the minority population, and it is growing. It is said that Latinos and African Americans are 70% likely to be affected by type 2 diabetes than Americans and other ethnic groups.

Many factors have led to this condition affecting one group of the population more than the other, which are issues of genetics, access to healthcare facilities, and the problem of lifestyle. Because the most affected groups of the population are considered minorities, then it is clear that their financial ability might be the main issue that contributes to the existence of the disparity. The problems of poor lifestyle choices such as eating habits, exercising, and going for medical checkups might also be the cause of this condition. The lack of finances used to provide quality healthcare services to these individuals and their families might be considered as reasons for the disparity between the whites and the blacks.

Osei & Gaillard (2017) only focus only on the blacks and whites in society, which leave out other groups that make up the population of America. Groups such as Asian Americans and Hispanics were left out of the research. But according to (NPHR, 2017) expounds its research to other groups in the population, giving a more comprehensive view of how type 2 diabetes affects another group of the population. There is 13.2 % of African Americans that are affected by type 2 diabetes, which is compared to approximately 7.6% of white or native Americans who are affected by this condition. 12.8% Hispanics 9 % Asians and 7.6% whites who are affected by this condition (NPHR, 2017). This indicates the rift or difference between the populations in terms of health disparity in type 2 diabetes.

Looking at the American health system and how type 2 diabetes affects the population using an intersectional lens, it results in the following. First is the issue of race and ethnicity; it is clear that most of the minority groups in America are affected by inequalities in the health system. Only the natives and those that have the financial ability can access quality health care services (Hummer, & Hayward, .2015). The issue of using the race stratification system in America affects how the non-whites are catered for in the health institutions and facilities.

The issue of poor medical quality on the minorities results in them having premature aging, which causes early physiological wear and tear compared to the native Americans. This also affects how they deal with conditions such as type 2 diabetes (Tyson, 2018). The issue of lifestyle is also a matter of concern in the minority groups that are affected by this condition. Most of the people affected by type 2 diabetes do not practice healthy eating or exercise regularly. Unhealthy eating habits cause abnormalities in an individual’s body system that might result in chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, among others. The fact that most of the African American’s tend not to trust the health system in America they do not often seek medical counseling, checkups, or doctor visits; they only do so when they are seriously ill. The condition might be affecting the minorities due to their lifestyle choices, economic status, and inequality in the healthcare system.

There is still an opportunity for more research to be done on this topic to ensure that more knowledge is gathered to help bridge the gap evidenced. The journalists and researchers have to ensure that the community or society is aware of the dangers of such chronic conditions and how they can prevent them. Also, it is essential to shine a light on the inequalities that are present in the health care system, which affects the quality of care given to nonnatives, which affects their health status adversely. More research can be done on the genetic aspect that causes chronic diseases on particular groups of the population and how to prevent the conditions. People should do more research and read on how to keep their bodies healthy to prevent chronic diseases and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion

Health disparities are contributed to by many issues, and it is clear that medical inequality based on ethnicity stratification and racial discrimination is a primary contributor to the disparities. Also, the economic status, lifestyle, and health practices of the minorities can contribute to the disparities. It is high time that equality in the healthcare system be achieved to ensure that quality care is provided for all people to enhance their health status. It the sole duty to ensure that they play their part in maintaining good health and not leaving everything to the medical professions and facilities.

References

Brown, T. H. (2018). Racial stratification, immigration, and health inequality: A life course-intersectional approach. Social Forces, 96(4), 1507-1540.

Hummer, R. A., & Hayward, M. D. (2015). Hispanic older adult health & longevity in the United States: Current patterns & concerns for the future. Daedalus, 144(2), 20-30.

IDF Diabetes Atlas. 7th ed. (2015). Available from: www.diabetesatlas.org

NPHR. (2017). Tracking Health Disparities with Big Data. Retrieved from https://nphr.wordpress.com/2017/10/19/tracking-health-disparities-with-big-data/

Osei, K., & Gaillard, T. (2017). Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors in Blacks and Whites: Dissecting Racial Paradox of Metabolic Syndrome. Frontiers in endocrinology, 8, 204. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2017.00204

Tyson H Brown. (2018). Racial Stratification, Immigration, and Health Inequality: A Life Course-Intersectional Approach, Social Forces, Volume 96, Issue 4, Pages 1507–1540, https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/soy013

Viruell-Fuentes, E. A., Miranda, P. Y., & Abdulrahim, S. (2012). More than culture: structural racism, intersectionality theory, and immigrant health. Social science & medicine, 75(12), 2099-2106.

Williams, D. R., Mohammed, S. A., Leavell, J., & Collins, C. (2010). Race, socioeconomic status, and health: complexities, ongoing challenges, and research opportunities. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1186, 69–101. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05339.x