- Prevalence of diabetes was higher among minority beneficiaries compared to White beneficiaries. It was highest among Black beneficiaries (30.0 percent).
- Black and Hispanic beneficiaries were diagnosed at younger ages than White beneficiaries (57 vs. 60 years of age).
- Although Black beneficiaries were generally just as likely as White beneficiaries to perform diabetes self-management activities, they were less likely to report having adequate knowledge to self-manage their condition and having their blood sugar well controlled all of the time.
Among Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries, prevalence of diabetes among Black (37 percent) and Hispanic (38 percent) beneficiaries was higher than among their White counterparts (25 percent) in 2012.[4] Minority beneficiaries with diabetes are also more likely to receive lower quality care[5] and have diabetes-related complications, such as end-stage renal disease, chronic kidney disease, and amputations. [6, 7] In addition, genetic predisposition, [8] higher rates of obesity, [9] earlier onset, [1] poor blood sugar control, [10] diet, and lack of exercise [11] have all been shown to contribute to these racial and ethnic disparities.
https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/OMH/Downloads/March-2017-Data-Highlight.pdf