A new report has found that African-Americans in Connecticut are dying prematurely of diabetes far more often than their non-minority counterparts. According to the study, which was published by the Connecticut Health Foundation, African-Americans in the state are dying before age 75 three times more often than whites. Experts noted that the reasons for this difference may include poor access to care and questionable food choices, but that obesity rates were the biggest contributor. The report found that nearly 31 percent of the state's African-Americans aged 18 and older are considered obese, with a high concentration in the state's urban areas. To address this problem, the foundation is recommending that the state pay for diabetes prevention programs aimed at African-American residents and improve access to primary care.
To learn more about the problem:
- read this Hartford Courant piece