Health disparities among Hispanics are seen at all levels of health care, at national, state and county levels; minority populations have higher rates of disease, disability and death compared to caucasians. These disparities are largely attributed to social and economic reasons, rather than biological. As the minority population continues to grow at a dramatic rate, and if the health disparities continue, the economic burden caused by these health disparities will also increase.
According to the Colorado Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the prevalence rate of diabetes is highest among African Americans and Latinos. When calculated, if we were to eliminate the rate of the diabetes health disparity between Caucasians and Hispanics, it would result in 6,056 fewer cases among minority adults per year. And at an average of $13, 243 per person, the 6,056 fewer cases would result in an $80 million dollar savings every year for Coloradoans.
Examples of Important Disparities
The percentage of minorities in Colorado has increased over the past decade, mostly due to a nearly 33% increase in the number of Hispanics. Although Colorado as a whole is a healthy state, Hispanics, who represent over 15% of the population, are disproportionately impacted by diabetes.
- Over 8% of Hispanic adults reported having been diagnosed with diabetes, significantly higher than White/non-Hispanic adults (4.4%).
- Hispanic adults with diabetes are less likely to follow diabetes standards of care, including A1c check up, dilated eye exam, diabetes education class, flu shot and pneumonia vaccination.
- Diabetes age-adjusted mortality rates for Hispanic males (35 per 100,000) are significantly higher than White non-Hispanic males and females (18.5 and 13.9 per 100,000, respectively).
- About 14% of diabetes-related hospitalizations are attributed to Hispanics.
- The average cost per discharge for Hispanic ($19,357) is lower than white Coloradans ($20,991); however, Hispanic Coloradans are hospitalized at a younger age (60.4 years) than whites (65.1 years).
- In 2003, of 1,629 ESRD cases in Colorado, 34% (533) were Hispanic.
Trend in Prevalence: Race/Ethnicity
About 4 percent of White/non-Hispanics reported having diabetes, compared to 5.2 percent Hispanics and 6.7 percent of Black/non-Hispanics. The prevalence of diabetes in Hispanics and Black/non-Hispanics is higher than that of White/non-Hispanics.
