Diabetes mortality rates for Hispanics along the US-Mexico border

Background: In 2005, approximately 20.8 million persons were afflicted by diabetes, about 7.0 percent of the total U.S. population. In 2002 diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death. A strong association has been found between obesity and risk for development of diabetes. Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, and Pacific Islanders are particularly at risk for diabetes. A specific Healthy Border 2010 objective addresses the reduction of deaths and hospitalizations due to diabetes.

Methods: Diabetes mortality data is presented from the NCHS for the year 2004 age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. population. Rate comparisons are made between the four border-states (Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas) and border counties of each state by race.

Results: The age-adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 population for diabetes was highest in the border counties for Hispanics than for non-Hispanic Whites for New Mexico (49.5 and 33.5), Texas (39.2 and 20.5), and Arizona (36.6 and 16.8). Mortality rates were lowest in California's border counties (33.8 and 16.4 respectively). Mortality rates for diabetes were nearly two times higher for Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic Whites for all four border-states. Rates were highest for Texas and New Mexico (46 and 43.3 for Hispanics and 23 and 22 for non-Hispanic Whites respectively) followed by Arizona and California (38.2 and 34.9 for Hispanics and 17.3 and 18 for non-Hispanic Whites). Diabetes mortality rates by border-state were higher for Hispanics compared to rates for the US as a whole (24.5).

Conclusions: Many risk factors, including obesity, lack of access to health care, physical activity, and nutrition are associated with diabetes. Unlike ethnicity or age, obesity is a controllable risk factor. Physical exercise, proper nutrition, access to healthcare, and weight loss can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.