Abstract
<h2>ABSTRACT</h2><h3>Purpose</h3> To review epidemiologic data for prevalence of diabetes in high-risk minority populations in the United States, drawing on recently published epidemiologic studies to summarize the effect of a worldwide diabetes epidemic in high-risk populations. <h3>Findings</h3> The epidemic of diabetes in the United States is heavily influenced by the degree of penetration of the disease in populations of ethnic Americans. Although the largest percentage increase in diabetes during the past decade was in the 30- to 39-year-old age-group, high-risk minorities such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and American Indians have also had an increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. At the other end of the age spectrum, type 2 diabetes is increasing among the aging "baby boomers." Both an increased risk of developing diabetes and an increased occurrence of diabetes-related complications, such as retinopathy and end-stage renal disease, are evident in ethnic minorities in comparison with whites. The possible reasons for this increased risk include (1) differences in lifestyle preferences and choices, (2) more limited access to health care, (3) poorer quality of health care, and (4) biologic or genetic determinants. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Additional research is needed to determine whether these differences predict a varied clinical course for diabetes in high-risk populations and whether they compel a different approach to treatment.
Published Version
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