Diabetes Prevention in Undiagnosed Adult Population of Vulnerable Groups - Essay Example

The initiative 'Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health' developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services, in conformity with Healthy People 2010 goals focuses on areas of health disparity that are known to affect racially and ethnically diverse groups of the population. As the epidemiology of Type-II diabetes is manifested in socially and culturally diverse groups, this initiative tries to understand the scope and nature of the disease that contribute to such disparities.

Literature reviews reveal that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States bear a disproportionate burden of diabetes epidemic, because they have higher prevalence rate, worse control, and higher rates of complications associated with diabetes due health disparity. In this context, it is essential to analyze health disparity prevalent among socio-ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups in the United States as well as success of the initiative Healthy People 2010 initiated in the year 2000.

The NIH Work Group on Health Disparities defines Health Disparities as "Differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of disease and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the US." (Health Disparities). Recent research evidence suggests that in addition to racial, ethnic, class and gender bias, "direct and indirect discrimination are also important factors" for health care disparities. (Byrd & Clayton, 2003). The factors influencing direct and indirect discrimination are racism, biased clinical decision making, and access barriers caused by shortage of racial and ethnic minority providers.

The healthcare needs, way of presenting symptoms and histories, expectations, responding to medical recommendations, and preferences of patients, which are socio-culturally perceived, presented before health care providers differ from individual to individual. Research literature in psychology, sociology, and physiology suggests that patient's experience and reporting of pain and other symptoms vary sharply. Similarly, the expectations and beliefs of health care providers are framed both by their professional training and experience as well as their exposure and social experiences and a patient's medical history, prognosis, and diagnostic test results may challenge physician's judgment.

Studies on healthcare disparity reveals that household income has a direct influence on a family's ability to afford food and other necessities including health insurance, and low-income individuals experience worse health outcomes, suggesting that income disparities leads to health disparities. "Low-income individuals have poor nutrition and health practices and many African-American communities are poorer than the population as whole." (Danelly et al, p. 112). Employment status also has direct influence on household income and insurance status as employment ensures insurance coverage, and thereby assured health care option.

Above all, educational attainment has significant role in health status, because a well