Racial disparities in diabetes education referral


Racial disparity exists for receiving diabetes education referral


 

            According to research published in The Diabetes Educator, black patients with pre-diabetes and diabetes are more likely to be given an education referral than white patients (14.8% vs. 10%; P < .0001).  A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on almost 4,000 patients ages 14-89 from 2008 to 2013 to determine diabetes education referrals based upon race. Black patients had higher rates of diabetes than pre-diabetes (75.8% and 24.2%), while white patients had higher rates of pre-diabetes than diabetes (62.3% and 37.7%). Overall, patients with diabetes were more likely to receive referrals than those with pre-diabetes.

            This study is important for clinical dietitians because every patient should be receiving referrals for diabetes education, regardless of race. Additionally, overall referral rates are too low, especially for pre-diabetes. Providing referrals for patients with pre-diabetes gives them the opportunity to reverse their condition and prevent the onset of diabetes.

-ER

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