Understanding the Impact and Inequity of Diabetes

By Sue Glass

November is National Diabetes Prevention Month. Throughout the month, the YMCA of Metro
Denver is joining thousands of organizations across the country in bringing attention to
diabetes. As part of this recognition, we would like to highlight the importance of expanding
access to resources and information that promote health equity – specifically for individuals at
risk of diabetes.

I started my career at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in 1997. I took the job because I was passionate about community health and well-being and eager to learn from an organization that was making a difference. In the 21 years that followed, the ADA helped me to
understand the impact of diabetes and the importance of democratizing access to resources for
prevention and treatment.

This education was invaluable and continues to influence my work at the YMCA of Metro
Denver. Here at the Y, we are committed to expanding access to resources that make
communities stronger, healthier and more equitable. This includes investing in resources that
prevent and treat diabetes for all Denverites.

122 million Americans are living with diabetes and prediabetes – that’s more than one in every
three Americans. Diabetes disproportionately impacts people of color and others who are
underserved. Higher rates of diagnoses are seen among Pacific Islander, Black, Native American
and Latino populations. A major cause for this disproportionate impact is health inequity.

The ADA’s #HealthEquityNow campaign outlines this systemic inequity in detail. It includes a Bill
of Rights that envisions a brighter, healthier future for all Americans – regardless of skin color
or zip code. Our team at the YMCA identified a few parts of this campaign that we’d like to
bring attention to in honor of Diabetes Prevention month. These notable components are equitable access to healthcare, fresh foods and safe places to live and exercise.

A 2003 Institute of Medicine report on racial and ethnic disparities in health care found that
medical care varied greatly by race, even when income, age, insurance and health conditions
were comparable. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this inequity became increasingly
prevalent. When people are unable to get treatment in a timely and affordable manner,
individuals with diabetes and prediabetes are at a greater risk for severe illness – including
COVID-19. According to a 2021 study, people with diabetes were at an increased risk of severe
illness from COVID-19.

Nutrition is also crucial component of diabetes prevention and management. However, under
resourced communities often lack the fresh food that individuals need to maintain a balanced,
nutritional diet. Here in the Metro Denver area, there are many communities that lack access to
consistent sources of healthy, fresh food – putting them at a greater risk for diabetes and
prediabetes. 

Untapped communities that lack the spaces and resources to live and exercise safely are also at a higher risk for diabetes. Living in a safe, comfortable place where you can maintain a well-balanced lifestyle contributes to your overall health and well-being.

Expanding access to health care, healthy food and safe places to live a well-balanced lifestyle
will get us closer to achieving health equity. Though we have a long way to go to reach this
milestone, the YMCA of Metro Denver’s Diabetes Prevention Program is contributing to
creating a stronger and healthier community everyday here in Colorado.

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention program helps people prevent diabetes by promoting habits
that lead to healthier lives. The year-long program helps individuals lose weight, learn about
nutrition, find ways to become more active, manage stress and stay motivated. This program
has been transformational for individuals here in Denver and across the county – with 91% of
participants saying that the program helped them to improve their overall health.

Through our Diabetes Prevention Program and more, the YMCA is committed to being part of
the network that brings our community closer to achieving health equity. This November, join
us in creating a stronger, healthier and more equitable Metro Denver.