Minority Women's Health

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Diabetes

Minority Women's Health > African Americans > Health Topics > Diabetes

You can get diabetes if your body does not use insulin right. Insulin changes the sugars in food into energy. Type 1 diabetes happens when your body destroys its own cells that make insulin. Type 2 diabetes happens when your body doesn't make enough insulin. Diabetes affects women of all ages. African Americans are almost twice as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites of the same age.

People with diabetes are more likely to have problems with their skin, mouth, kidneys, heart, nerves, eyes, and feet. African Americans have higher rates of at least two of diabetes' most serious complications: amputation (such as having a toe or foot removed), and kidney failure. Although type 1 diabetes can't be prevented, there are steps you can take to prevent and control type 2 diabetes:

• See your doctor regularly. Don't forget about the dentist and eye doctor!
• If you smoke, try to quit. Quitting is hard, but there are programs that can help.
• Control your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, your blood pressure, and your weight.
• Get moving. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day, most days of the week. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Or, walk during breaks at work.
• Check your feet every day for blisters, red spots, swelling, or cuts.
• Stay aware of how you feel. If you notice a problem, call your doctor right away.

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. This type of diabetes affects about 1 in 20 pregnancies. During pregnancy your body makes hormones that keep insulin from doing its job. To make up for this, your body makes extra insulin. In some women this extra insulin is not enough, so they get gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually goes away when the pregnancy is over. Still, women who have had gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

Publications

1.   Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes? — This booklet defines diabetes and reviews the signs and symptoms of the disease. It discusses the risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes and the ways it can be prevented.

   http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/riskfortype2/index.htm

2.     The Diabetes Epidemic Among African Americans — This information sheet discusses the different types of diabetes, risk factors, and effects of diabetes in African-Americans. It also provides advice on how to prevent heart disease, stroke, and other diabetes complications.

   http://www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/FS_AfricanAm.pdf

3.   For People of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian Heritage: Important Information About Diabetes Blood Tests — If you are of African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian heritage, you could have a variant form of hemoglobin in your red blood cells that affects the detection of diabetes. This Web page discusses what this means and how it might affect your diabetes care.

   http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/traitA1C/

4.   For People with Diabetes or High Blood Pressure: Get Checked for Kidney Disease — This fact sheet informs African-Americans about how diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney failure

   http://www.nkdep.nih.gov/resources/make_the_kidney_connection.htm

5.     More Than 50 Ways to Prevent Diabetes — This fact sheet gives tips on how African-Americans who are at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes can prevent the disease. It provides information to help you develop your own personal game plan, as well as a table to chart your daily and weekly goals.

   http://www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/50Ways_tips.pdf

6.   What African Americans Need To Know: Diabetes and High Blood Pressure — Make the Kidney Connection — This fact sheet informs African-Americans about how diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney failure.

   http://www.nkdep.nih.gov/resources/African_American_brochure.htm

7. African-American Programs (Copyright © American Diabetes Association) — This page provides links to resources that may help African Americans prevent diabetes. It also presents statistics about African Americans and complications related to the disease.

   http://www.diabetes.org/community-events/programs/african-american-programs/

8. African-Americans and Diabetes (Copyright © African American Community Health Advisory Committee) — This fact sheet describes the role that diabetes plays in the African-American community and includes statistics on the number of African-Americans who have diabetes. It also has information on diabetes symptoms and common complications.

   http://www.aachac.org/healthfactsheets/diabetes.html

9. Diabetes Risk Test (Copyright © American Diabetes Association) — This interactive tool can help you determine your risk of diabetes. It includes information on prevention, how to cope, and more.

   http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp

Organizations

1.   National Diabetes Education Program
2.   National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, HHS
3. American Diabetes Association

= Indicates Federal Resources

Resources reviewed March 2008.