Epidemiology of type 2 diabetes: focus on ethnic minorities.

African Americans and other ethnic minority groups suffer disproportionately from type 2 diabetes and its complications than do white Americans. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the ethnic disparities in diabetes and its complications. The key elements of a comprehensive diabetes management strategy include monitoring, education, dietary modification, exercise, and medications. The progressive nature of diabetes requires the use of more than one agent. Drug combinations should be selected for their therapeutic fire power and complementary mechanisms of action, and exogenous insulin need not be delayed unnecessarily if oral agents are ineffective.