How Diabetes Affects Missouri Communities Differently: Opportunities to Promote Health Equity
Health disparities are powerful determinants of poor health outcomes and excessive health expenditures in the U.S. Diabetes has a significant direct and indirect role in health disparities. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death for the entire population in the U.S. The risk of premature death from heart disease or stroke is 50% higher for black males than for white males. Moreover, there is a strong correlation between diabetes and cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular death rates are 2 to 4 times higher for individuals with diabetes, and the primary cause of death for 65% of all patients with diabetes is heart disease or stroke.
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