In the U.S., having higher numbers of low-income populations is likely also to have higher numbers of type 2 diabetes diagnoses. Low-income neighborhoods can likely have higher amounts of dangerous conditions at home, obesity, stress, and unhealthy lifestyles. Individuals with a poor socioeconomic status are also likely to have poorer glycemic control, a greater number of complications that come from diabetes, and a higher mortality rate. Not having easy accessibility to healthcare also has a high negative impact on these low-income populations, likely playing a role in the high rates of type 2 diabetes within these communities.
What Is the Root Cause of Type 2 Diabetes?
There are two primary reasons that type 2 diabetes can develop. The muscular, fat, or liver cells can become resistant to insulin release, meaning that these cells will not take in the proper amount of sugar. Another bodily malfunction that can potentially lead to type 2 diabetes is that the pancreas is unable to make the right amounts of insulin, leading to blood sugar levels falling out of the optimal range. The exact reasons why either one of these conditions occurs is unknown, but two characteristics that are more likely to cause one of these two conditions include being physically inactive and obesity.
Where Is the Highest Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes?
The ten countries with the highest amounts of type 2 diabetes are, from highest to lowest, Pakistan, French Polynesia, Kuwait, New Caledonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Nauru, The Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Kiribati, and Egypt. The percentages for these countries range from twenty to thirty percent. In comparison, the U.S. falls at an 11.3 percent prevalence of diabetes throughout the country, with 90 to 95 percent of that percentage coming from type 2 diabetes specifically. However, regarding the highest rate of diabetes, looking at the total number of people instead of percentages, China and India both have over one billion people with diabetes, the U.S. at 338 million, Indonesia at 275 million, and Pakistan at 235 million.
Why Is Type 2 Diabetes So High in the U.S.?
There are numerous reasons for type 2 diabetes being so common within the United States, including childhood obesity rates, the COVID-19 pandemic, genetics, lifestyle, and maternal diabetes. Lifestyle factors like frequently consuming an unhealthy diet, being constantly inactive, and being overweight heighten the risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. If parents have developed type 2 diabetes, then their children have a higher chance of being diagnosed with it. Genetics can be an excellent explanatory reason for type 2 diabetes being higher in specific ethnicities like African Americans, American Indians, Asians, and Hispanics. Being obese as a child also raises the chances of being type 2 diabetic, which can develop at an early age. Pregnant women who develop maternal diabetes have a higher chance of passing the type 2 diabetes onto their children. Lastly, with the COVID-19 pandemic, with the increase in inflammation that comes with contracting the virus and the high amounts of stress that have come with this new pandemic, these have the chance to increase type 2 diabetes risks, as well.
What Is the Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes in Low-Income Communities?
When compared to higher-income areas of the United States, cases of type 2 diabetes in low-income areas are much higher. Reasonings behind this significant difference are that individuals in these areas do not have easy access to nutrient-dense food options, are sometimes not close by to healthcare businesses, and overall have higher obesity rates explicitly linked to being in poverty. Also, those who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes do not have easy access to healthcare; they then have difficulty figuring out how to manage their diagnosis, likely on their own.
Why Is Diabetes Prevalent in Black Communities?
There are similar reasons why diabetes is prevalent in black communities to why there are higher rates of it in low-income communities. Factors that play a significant role include:
- Genetics.
- High obesity rates.
- Insulin resistance.
- Having limited access to nutrient-dense food options.
- Lack of physical activity options.
- Not having access to healthcare resources, particularly in under-resourced areas.
These factors can often come about because of socioeconomic disparities and systemic racism.
Can I Claim Benefits for Type 2 Diabetes?
There are multiple options for claiming benefits regarding type 2 diabetes, including Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and VA disability benefits. If an individual has a work history involving the type 2 diabetes diagnosis, there is eligibility potential for SSDI. If no work history is present, then SSI can be a potential option. However, to qualify for either option, the symptoms and effects that come with type 2 diabetes must significantly affect your working capabilities. If an individual cannot work due to their type 2 diabetes, eligibility is possible for short-term or long-term disability insurance. If an individual was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes while in the military service or after, VA disability benefits are a potential. Research before applying to ensure you have any documentation that might be required.
Choosing a healthy plant-based and vegan diet is most beneficial when it comes to:
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Higher levels of energy;
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Improved sleep;
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Aids in energy and overall happiness;
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Provides a sense of comfort and relief;
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Could prevent major diseases such as obesity and diabetes;
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Accomplish weight loss and management; and
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Improves mental and cognitive functioning.
What is your biggest need for living your healthiest lifestyle? Are you looking for ways to improve your diet and boost your immunity? Let us know what you think of the article.
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Resources
Hill-Briggs, F., Adler, N.E., Berkowitz, S.A., Chin, M.H., Gary-Webb, T.L., Navas-Acien, A., Thornton, P.L., & Haire-Joshu, D. (2020). Social determinants of health and diabetes: A scientific review. Diabetes Care, 44(1), 258-279. https://doi.org/10.2337/dci20-0053.
Hsu, C.C., Lee, C.H., Wahlqvist, M.L., Huang, H.L., Chang, H.Y., Chen, L., Shih, S.F., Shin, S.J., Tsai, W.C., Chen, T., Huang, C.T., & Cheng, J.S. (2012). Poverty increases type 2 diabetes incidence and inequality of care despite universal health coverage. Diabetes Care, 35(11), 2286-2292. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc11-2052.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, March 14). Type 2 diabetes. Mayo Clinic.
Northwestern Medicine. (2022, July). Diabetes in black communities: Understanding health inequity. Northwestern Medicine.
Rees, M. (2021, December 22). How to claim disability with type 2 diabetes. Medical News Today.
Sherrell, Z. (2022, August 31). How do diabetes rates vary by country? Medical News Today.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022, December 29). Future surge in diabetes could dramatically impact people under 20 in U.S. CDC.
