The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has been increasing in many locations worldwide, including New York City. The increase in prevalence is due to many factors, such as lifestyle changes, the aging population, and ethnic disparities. In New York City, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is higher than the national average and is highest among certain ethnic groups. It has increased the prevalence of complications associated with diabetes mellitus, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and other metabolic conditions. The prevalence of these complications is compounded by health disparities in New York City, which often lead to inadequate access to health care and resources for those affected by diabetes mellitus. This essay will examine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and associated complications in New York City, as well as the health disparities that exist in the city and their impact on those with the condition.
Definition of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects how the body processes sugar. The condition cause occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to convert the sugar in the blood into energy or when the body cannot use the insulin properly to do this conversion (Mukhtar et al., 2020). There are two main types of diabetes mellitus, type 1 and type 2, with type 2 being the most common (Galicia et al., 2020). Ultimately, diabetes mellitus is a severe condition that can lead to many health complications if not managed properly.
Statistics, Location, and Population
Statistics
Communities Affected
findings show that 11.1% of Black people in NYC had been diagnosed with DM, while 8.9% of Hispanic people had been diagnosed with DM, compared to 7.3% of White people in NYC diagnosed with DM. Additionally, the study found that people of other races/ethnicities had a DM prevalence of 10.1%. These findings suggest that Black and Hispanic communities in NYC experience a higher rate of DM than White and other communities.
Age and Population Affected
The prevalence of DM increases with age. Among people aged 18-44, the prevalence of DM was 4.4%, while among people aged 45-64, it was 11.1%, and among people aged 65 and older, it was 17.3%. It is also worth noting that the prevalence of DM among people aged 65 and older was higher among Black and Hispanic people than among White and other people. These findings suggest that DM is more common among older adults in NYC.
Location
NYC and its Boroughs
The prevalence of DM varied across NYC’s five boroughs. The highest prevalence of DM was found in the Bronx, with 11.5%, followed by Brooklyn, with 8.5%, Manhattan, with 7.8%, Queens, with 7.1%; and Staten Island, with 6.2%. These findings suggest that the Bronx has the highest prevalence of DM in NYC, followed by Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
Areas Within NYC
The prevalence of DM varied across different areas within NYC. The highest prevalence of DM was found in Central Harlem, with 13.8%, followed by the Upper West Side at 11.7%, the South Bronx at 11.7%, and the Lower East Side at 11.3%. These findings suggest that DM is more prevalent in Central Harlem, the Upper West Side, the South Bronx, and the Lower East Side than in other areas of NYC.
Population
Race/Ethnicity
Black people in NYC had the highest prevalence of DM, with 11.1%, followed by Hispanic people with 8.9%, White people with 7.3%, and people of other races/ethnicities with 10.1%. These findings suggest that DM is more prevalent among Black and Hispanic people than White and others in NYC.
Socioeconomic Status
DM was more prevalent among people with lower incomes than those with higher incomes. Specifically, the study found that 8.2% of people with incomes below $25,000 had been diagnosed with DM, compared to 6.9% of people between $25,000 and $50,000 and 4.7% of people with incomes above $50,000. These findings suggest that people with lower incomes in NYC are more likely to suffer from DM than those with higher incomes.
Complications Associated with Diabetes Mellitus
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, is one of the most common complications associated with diabetes mellitus. People with diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of death in people with diabetes mellitus. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease than those without diabetes. High blood pressure, smoking, and high cholesterol are risk factors associated with diabetes and heart disease. Diabetes can also decrease the body’s ability to protect itself against infections, leading to an increased risk for heart disease.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy, or nerve damage, is another common complication associated with diabetes mellitus. People with diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk of developing neuropathy, which can cause pain, numbness, and loss of sensation in the hands and feet. Nerve damage caused by diabetes can cause a wide range of symptoms, including pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and muscle weakness. It can also cause changes in the sensitivity of the skin. Neuropathy can be present in both the peripheral and autonomic nervous systems and can cause digestive problems, bladder problems, and erectile dysfunction.
Retinopathy
Retinopathy, or damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, is another complication associated with diabetes mellitus. People with diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk of developing retinopathy, which can lead to vision loss and blindness. Retinopathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the eye are damaged. It can cause vision loss and even blindness if left untreated. Risk factors for developing retinopathy include high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, and smoking. Additionally, regular eye exams are necessary for early detection and prompt retinopathy treatment. Treatment for retinopathy can include laser surgery, medications, and eye injections.
Health Care Disparities
Access to Care People living in underserved and minority communities in New York City are likelier to have limited access to health care, including diabetes-related care. The limitation can lead to poorer health outcomes and an increased prevalence of diabetes-related complications.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that people who live in underserved and minority communities are more likely to have diabetes-related complications, including stroke and blindness ( Haw et al ., 2021). According to the CDC, African Americans and Hispanics are twice as likely to have diabetes-related complications as whites (Bower et al., 2019). Underserved and minority communities are at an increased risk of diabetes-related complications due to a lack of access to preventative care, the resources necessary to receive adequate diabetes-related care, and health insurance coverage. Cultural and language barriers can lead to poorer health outcomes for individuals with diabetes (Hill-Briggs et al., 2020). Discrimination and stigma when accessing health care may further increase the prevalence of diabetes-related complications (Hill-Briggs et al., 2020). Additionally, people living in underserved and minority communities may not have the same quality of care or access to the same resources and supports as those living in other communities and may not be aware of the preventative measures they can take to reduce their risk of developing diabetes-related complications ( Haw et al ., 2021). People living in underserved and minority communities in New York City are at an increased risk of developing diabetes-related complications due to a lack of access to adequate health care, resources, and preventative measures.
Quality of Care
In addition to limited access to care, people living in underserved and minority communities are more likely to receive lower-quality care. Limitation of care acces can lead to poorer health outcomes and an increased prevalence of diabetes-related complications. People living in underserved and minority communities often lack the resources necessary to receive adequate diabetes-related care. These resources include access to healthcare providers, access to healthy foods, physical activity, and medication. Without these resources, diabetes-related complications are more likely to occur (Hill-Briggs et al., 2020).
Moreover, people living in underserved and minority communities are often more likely to experience disparities in health care. These disparities include limited provider access and inadequate information regarding diabetes prevention and management. People living in underserved and minority communities often lack the resources necessary to receive diabetes-related care, such as access to healthy foods, physical activity, and medication. People living in underserved and minority communities are also more likely to experience cultural and language barriers when accessing health care (Hill-Briggs et al., 2020); .it can lead to poorer health outcomes for individuals with diabetes and an increased prevalence of diabetes-related complications. They may not be aware of the preventative measures they can take to reduce their risk of developing diabetes-related complications. People living in underserved and minority communities may not have access to the same resources and supports as those in other communities. Financial barriers when accessing health care can lead to poorer health outcomes and an increased prevalence of diabetes-related complications. They often lack the resources necessary to receive adequate diabetes-related care, such as access to healthy foods, physical activity, and medication. Quality of care may also be affected (Cuddapah et al., 2022). Health insurance coverage may be inadequate, making accessing diabetes-related care more difficult. Cultural and language barriers can also prevent them from receiving the care they need, leading to poorer health outcomes and increased diabetes-related complications ( Marino et al., 2020 ).
People in underserved and minority communities may not have the same diabetes education and support as those in other communities and the same diabetes self-management resources such as access to diabetes care providers, nutrition education, and financial assistance programs. They may be less likely to receive timely screenings and follow-up care for diabetes-related complications. These factors can contribute to poorer health outcomes and an increased prevalence of diabetes-related complications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that can cause serious health complications. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in New York City is higher than the national average, especially among certain racial/ethnic groups. Health disparities, such as limited access to care and lower quality of care, further contribute to the increased prevalence of diabetes-related complications in these communities. In order to reduce the prevalence of diabetes-related complications, it is crucial to address the health disparities in underserved and minority communities. In order to address these health disparities, it is vital to ensure that all communities have access to quality and affordable health care.
Additionally, it is crucial to increase awareness and education about diabetes prevention and management in underserved and minority communities. Lastly, it is essential to provide resources and support for those with diabetes, such as access to healthy foods, physical activity, and medication. Addressing these health disparities can help reduce the prevalence of diabetes-related complications and improve the health of those living with diabetes in New York City.
References
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