Exploring ethnic disparities in diabetes, diabetes care, and lifestyle behaviors: the Nashville REACH 2010 community baseline survey.

In order to gain a better understanding of diabetes-related health disparities, Nashville REACH 2010 conducted a community baseline survey on health status. A total of 3204 randomly selected African-American (AA) and Caucasian (C) residents of North Nashville, and a comparison sample of residents living in Nashville/Davidson County were interviewed using a computer-assisted telephone interviewing system. Diabetes prevalence was determined, and similarities/differences relative to access to health care, co-morbid conditions, diabetes care, and lifestyle behaviors, were examined. Age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes was 1.7 times higher among AAs. Increasing age (P<.0001) and being AA (P<.01) were predictive of diabetes status in a regression model. African Americans were more likely to be uninsured (P<.01), while Cs had to travel farther to get medical care (P<.0002). Compared to Caucasians, African Americans were 1.6 times more likely to have co-morbid hypertension (P<.004). Reported insulin use was higher (P<.0001) in AAs, and more Cs (25.5% vs 9.1%, respectively) reported taking no medications. African Americans were more likely to report (P<.0001) daily glucose self-monitoring, while more Cs (P<.04) reported having had an eye exam in the last 1 to 2 years. Caucasians reported more (P<.05) active lifestyle behaviors, while AA reported more (P<.001) fat-increasing behaviors. In conclusion, interventions addressing diabetes disparities in the target population should focus on insuring equitable awareness of, and access to, insurance options; managing co-morbidities; improving provider adherence to standards of care; and establishing multi-level supports for lifestyle modifications.