Diabetes among minority populations in New York City

Background/Significance: Disparities in diabetes prevalence exist, especially in ethnic minority communities. Information on diabetes prevalence and risk factors was collected using 3 years of the REACH U.S. Risk Factor Survey, which over-sampled 3 ethnic minority populations living in predominately ethnic enclaves in New York City (NYC). Methods: Survey data targeting minority subgroups from 2009 to 2011 yielded approximately 3215 Asian Americans, 2410 non-Hispanic African Americans, and 3607 Hispanics. Demographic and health variables were run by subgroup, including diabetes prevalence rates (not including gestational). Bivariate analyses determined factors related to a diabetes diagnosis by subgroup, and logistic regression predicted factors related to a diabetes outcome, while adjusting for all other variables. Results: Unweighted measurements found diabetes prevalence to be 18.7% among non-Hispanic African Americans, 20.7% among Hispanics, and 13.1% among Asians. Asian Indians had the highest diabetes prevalence, of 21.5%. Further weighted analyses will examine diabetes prevalence in greater detail among ethnic subgroups, including mixed races, as well as factors related to diabetes in the larger subgroups, including neighborhood. Among diabetics, diabetes management will be examined, including self-management (checking blood sugar and feet) and management through a health professional (doctor visits, checking HbA1c, and eye exams). Discussion/Conclusions: Diabetes in the non-Hispanic African American and Hispanic communities were higher than in the aggregated Asian communities, although rates among Asian Indians were the highest. All rates are higher than estimates reported by the latest health department's NYC Community Health Survey. This information will inform researchers addressing health disparities faced by ethnic minority groups living in ethnic enclaves.