Women at high risk for diabetes: Improving data, access and quality of care

Data were analyzed from 4,098 women without diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes who participated in the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The American Diabetes Association criteria for testing for diabetes were used to classify women as at high risk or not at high risk. Prevalence of indicators of access to health care and diabetes-related risk-reduction services were estimated by risk status, overall, and stratified by race/ethnicity, education, and poverty status. Differences between age-standardized (US Census 2000) estimates were considered significant at p<0.05. Results: Regardless of diabetes risk status, women with a high school education (76%) or less (59%), or who lived in poor(62%), near-poor (63%), or middle-income (84%) families were significantly less likely than more advantaged women to report having any insurance coverage (p <0.05). Women at high risk of diabetes were significantly less likely than women not at high risk to exercise ≥150 minutes per week (25% vs. 32%; p<0.05). Women at high risk for diabetes were more likely than women not at high risk to report trying to lose weight by exercising (40% vs. 26%; p<0.05) or dieting (52% vs. 32%; p<0.05). Among women at high risk, the percentages trying to lose weight decreased with decreasing education (from 63% to 47%; p<0.05) and family income (from 68% to 52%; p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate marked socioeconomic disparities in access to care and diabetes-related risk-reduction activities exist among women at high risk for diabetes. Such findings can help inform state programs and their prevention efforts.