Background/Objective: Diabetes is a significant health concern in the U.S. and is significantly linked to socioeconomic and racial disparities. This study aims to assess the impact of sociodemographic factors such as sex, race/ethnicity, income, education, age, and geographic region on the prevalence of diabetes among U.S. adults.

Methods: Data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were analyzed to identify factors associated with self-reported diabetes. A multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to account for sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables. SAS version 9.4 was used for all data analysis.

Results: After adjusting for sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors, several groups were found to have higher odds of reporting diabetes. Males had increased odds (AOR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.30–1.36), as did American Indians (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI, 1.82–2.11). Individuals earning less than $24,999 annually (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI, 2.80–3.12) and those aged 65 years or older (AOR = 28.73; 95% CI, 24.89–33.41) also had significantly higher odds. Additionally, individuals with no formal education (AOR = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.19–2.09) and those living in the Southern U.S. (AOR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.21–1.30) were more likely to report a diabetes diagnosis.

Conclusion: Disparities in age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, education, and geographic region contribute significantly to the prevalence of diabetes among U.S. adults. These results underscore the need for public health interventions that target these vulnerable populations to address these health disparities effectively.