Disparity Impact of Diabetes in the African American Population

Authors

Michael Omotola, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Family Medicine

Advisor

Dr. Laura Witte

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this article is to discuss the impact of medical disparity in diabetes within the African American population, and to and explore some viable options to reducing such disparities.

Method: A PubMed search was conducted. Using the PubMed Central (PMC) medical databases; search was conducted for relevant articles searching for certain keywords including: diabetes, health disparity in African American population, medical access and effects on healthcare. Seventeen articles were selected based on relevance.

Results: It is evident that lack of medical access, non-compliance to medical plan of care as defined by their medical providers, health literacy, unhealthy dietary choices, socioeconomic status, and genetic predisposition all contribute to the medical disparities within the African American population.

Conclusion: Diabetes contributes to the psychosocial state of AA living with the disease with limitations ranging from lack of: access to medical care and medicine, health illiteracy, including diabetes related complications. Social, economic and environmental factors outside the healthcare delivery system do also influence health status and exacerbate racial differences in health outcomes. Adapting healthy dieting lifestyle leads to positive outcomes such as improvement in glycemic control. Judicious glycemic control is fundamental to the management of diabetes and prevention of complications.

Recommended Citation

Omotola M. Disparity Impact of Diabetes in the African American Population. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2021; 3(3).