About this Research Topic
The diabetes mellitus epidemic now affects 400 million people worldwide and accounts for 1.6million deaths per year. Particularly affected by the disease, are those of racial/ethnic minorities across the globe and those of lower socio-economic backgrounds. This Research Topic aims to highlight and explore the disparities in diabetes-related outcomes across various racial/ethnic groups and discuss how we can alleviate these inequalities.
To understand the landscape of this disease it is important to understand the epidemiology of both diabetes, prediabetes and associated comorbidities and complications such as cardiometabolic disease. To what extent are minorities affected by the disease, and how is this disparity changing over time? Further to this, how do outcomes differ? Of those with diabetes, how are they affected by complications in these groups compared to the reference population.
Also of importance to our understanding, is characterizing the nature of any differences, in relation to biological and environmental factors. Genetic factors are always part of the story but to what degree? . Of interest, we would like to define the contribution of genes in explaining the disproportionate rates of diabetes in racial/ethnic minorities. Equally pivotal, is the contribution of social factors and how they can be addressed in clinical practice. Moreover, how does the interaction of genes with the environment bare on diabetes risk and outcomes. If ethnicity and race were to play a role, consideration to the efficacy of pharmacological therapies should be given.. The issues of proper adherence and cultural factors should also be addressed to ensure effective management of diabetes.
Although we are enjoying great scientific and technological advances in diabetes care, the reality is that most people with diabetes don’t achieve treatment targets, particularly those in racial/ethnic minority groups. Therefore, given the current issues driving the disparities and our current inability to tack them, we also hope to highlight views and perspectives on clinical programs and innovative approaches, targeted at improving diabetes-related outcomes in these populations often devastated by the disease.
We accept original research, review and opinion pieces tackling the racial/ethnic disparities and inequities in diabetes
To understand the landscape of this disease it is important to understand the epidemiology of both diabetes, prediabetes and associated comorbidities and complications such as cardiometabolic disease. To what extent are minorities affected by the disease, and how is this disparity changing over time? Further to this, how do outcomes differ? Of those with diabetes, how are they affected by complications in these groups compared to the reference population.
Also of importance to our understanding, is characterizing the nature of any differences, in relation to biological and environmental factors. Genetic factors are always part of the story but to what degree? . Of interest, we would like to define the contribution of genes in explaining the disproportionate rates of diabetes in racial/ethnic minorities. Equally pivotal, is the contribution of social factors and how they can be addressed in clinical practice. Moreover, how does the interaction of genes with the environment bare on diabetes risk and outcomes. If ethnicity and race were to play a role, consideration to the efficacy of pharmacological therapies should be given.. The issues of proper adherence and cultural factors should also be addressed to ensure effective management of diabetes.
Although we are enjoying great scientific and technological advances in diabetes care, the reality is that most people with diabetes don’t achieve treatment targets, particularly those in racial/ethnic minority groups. Therefore, given the current issues driving the disparities and our current inability to tack them, we also hope to highlight views and perspectives on clinical programs and innovative approaches, targeted at improving diabetes-related outcomes in these populations often devastated by the disease.
We accept original research, review and opinion pieces tackling the racial/ethnic disparities and inequities in diabetes
Keywords: diabetes, disparities, inequalities, socioeconomic, race, ethnicity, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment
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