Recorded presentation

Ami M. Shah, MPH, Abigail Silva, MPH, and Steven Whitman, PhD. Sinai Health System, Sinai Urban Health Institute, California Ave at 15th St., K439, Chicago, IL 60608, 773-257-6569, shaam@sinai.org

Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases in the US. It can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, renal failure and lower extremity amputation if left untreated. Rarely available local data also reveals that some communities have a higher risk of diabetes and diabetes complications than others.

A comprehensive health survey was implemented in six racially/ethnically diverse community areas in Chicago. One goal was to document the risk and prevalence of diabetes in each community as well as ascertain their risk for future complications. Face-to-face interviews were completed with 1,699 adults from randomly selected households.

Survey data show that the prevalence of diabetes, compared with Chicago and national averages, is greater in four of the six community areas studied. For instance, 14% of people in a predominately Black community report having been diagnosed with diabetes compared with only 7% in the US and 5% in Chicago. Data also reveal a surprisingly low prevalence rate in a predominantly Mexican community (3%). This is noteworthy since this community has a high diabetes mortality rate.

Our presentation will examine the demographic and SES correlates of diabetes risk and prevalence by community. We will explore risk factors that may be associated with diabetes complications, including insurance status, health behaviors, and diabetes knowledge/awareness. Finally, we will discuss the policy implications of these findings.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the need for community level diabetes prevalence and risk factor data; and
• Identify social and economic determinants associated with diabetes and its complications in racially/ethnically diverse communities.

Keywords: Diabetes, Health Disparities

Related Web page: www.sinai.org/urban/index.asp

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation