Non-Hispanic Black and Mexican-American adults diagnosed with diabetes at a younger age

New findings published in JAMA Network revealed that non-Hispanic Black and Mexican-American adults were diagnosed with diabetes at a younger age—typically 4 to 7 years earlier—than non-Hispanic whites.

Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to help identify differences in diabetes onset across different racial and ethnic groups. A nationally representative sample population was assembled and included 3,022 men and women who reported having the disease between 2011 and 2018.

The data indicated that more than one-quarter of non-Hispanic Black and Mexican-Americans with confirmed diabetes were diagnosed before reaching the age of 40 years. The authors of the cross-sectional study believe a combination of clinical, behavioral, and social factors account for the trend, which they suggest may contribute to known disparities in morbidity and premature mortality associated with diabetes.

Introducing intensive lifestyle changes earlier in adulthood, they said, might have a positive effect.