Connecticut’s Black Residents Dying Prematurely From Diabetes at a Higher Rate Than Whites, Other Minorities, Report Says
Connecticut's black residents have a higher rate of premature death from diabetes than whites, Hispanics and Asians, according to a report by the Connecticut Health Foundation, AP/Long Island Newsday reports. According the 264-page report -- which is called the Community Health Data Scan for Connecticut and focuses on racial and ethnic health disparities -- black residents die before age 75 from diabetes nearly three times more often than whites. Rising obesity rates, food choices, and access to medical care and treatment are among reasons for the disparity, Dennis McBride, director of the Milford City Public Health Department, said. The report found that nearly 31% of black adults in Connecticut are considered obese, compared with almost 22% of Hispanics, nearly 16% of whites and 4.2% of Asians. "The causal factors for diabetes, such as obesity, are becoming more prevalent in all age groups and in the whole population. This is a 'ticking time bomb' for the current and future adult population," the report stated. The report recommended that the state fund diabetes prevention programs that target black communities, ensure that all residents have access to primary care, and address alcohol use and smoking (Haigh, AP/Long Island Newsday, 3/28).
The report is available online. Note: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the report.