1. Rocio Flores HS 2013.01 October 15, 2009
Your Risk for Diabetes type 2: Hispanics & African Americans
Type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, “usually begins as
insulin resistance, a disorder in which the cells do not use insulin properly. As the need for
insulin rises, the pancreas gradually loses its ability to produce insulin”.1 Hispanics and African
Americans are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes and African Americans:
• A 2004-2006 national survey found that 11.8% of African Americans had been diagnosed
with diabetes, this was the highest percentage found among races. 2,1
• In 2007, 3.7 million, or 14.7 percent, of all non-Hispanic blacks ages 20 years or older had
diabetes. 2,2
• African American adults were 2 times more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to have
been diagnosed with diabetes by a physician.3
Diabetes and Hispanics:
• A 2004-2006 national survey found that 10.4% of Hispanics had been diagnosed with
diabetes, this was the second highest percentage found among races. 2,3
• In 2007, 14.9 million, or 9.8 percent, of all non-Hispanic whites ages 20 years or older had
diabetes. 2,4
• 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.4
Recommendations:
• Choose to drink water over soda or other sugar filled drinks5
• The National Diabetes Education Program, recommends losing 5%-7% of current body
weight. 5
• Create a walking group and schedule to take frequent walks. 5
• Prepare your own food rather than buy food from restaurants or fast food chains.
• When preparing your own food choose healthy ingredients and substitute any high calorie
options with low calorie/low sugar ingredients.
Most Importantly:
• Visit your doctor regularly to catch any early symptoms of diabetes for preventing this
condition from having irreversible damages to your health.

2. Rocio Flores HS 2013.01 October 15, 2009
References:
1. National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2005, December 20). National
Diabetes Fact Sheet. Retrieved October 13, 2009, from http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/
pubs/general.htm#what
2. Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. (2008, June 1). National Diabetes Statistics, 2007.
Retrieved October 13, 2009, from http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov /DM/PUBS/
statistics/#race
3. Office of Minority Health. (2009, July 30). Diabetes and African Americans - The Office of
Minority Health. Retrieved October 13, 2009, from http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/
content.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=51&ID=3017
4. National Diabetes Education Program. (2008). Diabetes epidemic among Hispanics/Latinos.
Retrieved October 13, 2009, from http://www.ndep.nih.gov/media /FS_HispLatino
_Eng.pdf
5. Diabetes Education Program. (2008). Ten ways African-Americans can prevent type 2
diabetes. Retrieved October 13, 2009, from http://www.ndep.nih.gov/media/ten-ways-
african-americans.pdf