Diabetes Rate Increasing Among Hawaiians, High Among Blacks in Michigan
The following summarizes news coverage of diabetes rates among minorities in Hawaii and Michigan.
- Hawaii: About 8.6% of Hawaii's population, or 110,000 people, are thought to have diabetes and 39,000 of those individuals have not yet been diagnosed, according to a report by the state Health Department, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports. According to the Star-Bulletin, type 2 diabetes is often linked to obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity, but ethnicity also plays a role. Native Hawaiians, Filipinos and Japanese have a higher risk for developing the disease than whites, according to the health department. Native Hawaiians also have the highest death rates related to diabetes, according to the Star-Bulletin (Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 10/28).
The report is available online (.pdf).
- Michigan: About 7.9% of adults in Michigan have diabetes, and the disease is highest among blacks, according to the American Diabetes Association, the Detroit News reports. Nearly one in five blacks in the state have the condition. The local ADA chapter has partnered with Eli Lilly for its Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered campaign to raise awareness and prevention efforts among the group (Taylor, Detroit News, 10/31).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
