Healthcare researchers frequently examine whether race and ethnicity affect the care received by different population groups. A recent examination among people with diabetes shows that all groups received similar care - and their health status was equally poor.

Data on national samples of Caucasians, African-Americans, and Mexican-Americans showed that there were some differences among the groups in healthcare access and utilization for adults with type 2 diabetes. The overriding conclusion, however, was the suboptimal health status of all three groups relative to established treatment goals.

The analysis of healthcare access and utilization showed:

• Rates of treatment with insulin or oral agents, eye examination in the previous year, and blood pressure check in the previous 6 months were similar for each race and ethnic group.
• Fewer African-Americans and Mexican-Americans self-monitored blood glucose, had their cholesterol checked, or were diagnosed with high blood lipid levels.
• Those two groups had somewhat higher HbA1c levels and blood pressure than Caucasians.
• Caucasian men were more overweight, while Caucasian women were less overweight than those in other ethnic groups.
• LDL cholesterol levels and the proportion of patients who smoked cigarettes or were hospitalized in the previous year were similar among all 3 groups.

Regarding health status for each race and ethnic group, the researchers found:

• Glycemic control was universally poor.
• Many patients were obese and had albuminuria.
• Much of the hypertension and elevated cholesterol levels was not controlled.
• One-fourth of patients had been hospitalized in the previous year.
• One-fifth of patients smoked cigarettes.

Such findings led the authors to conclude that health status does not appear to be influenced by racial differences or access to health care.

Related information Treatment: Glucose Control