This page provides data points and curated searches from OMH’s Knowledge Center library catalog related to diabetes within minority and tribal populations in the United States and its territories. The number of catalog records for each topic reflect the search results at the time of this page’s latest update.
Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how your body uses food for energy. When you eat, your body turns much of that food into sugar (glucose), which enters your blood. This increase in blood sugar causes an internal organ called the pancreas to release insulin, a hormone that helps move sugar from your blood into your cells so your body can use it for energy.
If you have diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it properly. This causes too much sugar to stay in your blood. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. The three main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, which happens during pregnancy. Keeping a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, and staying physically active can help prevent and manage diabetes and may improve symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
American Indian/Alaska Native
In 2024, AI/AN adults were 36% more likely than U.S. adults overall to have diabetes. In 2023, AI/AN adults with diabetes were 27% more likely than U.S. adults with diabetes to get a yearly eye exam. In 2022, AI/AN people died from diabetes almost twice as often as the U.S. population overall.
For additional data on diabetes and American Indians/Alaska Natives, please visit our Population Profiles.
Asian American
In 2024, Asian American adults were 6% more likely than U.S. adults overall to have diabetes. In 2023, Asian American adults with diabetes were about as likely as U.S. adults with diabetes to get a yearly eye exam. In 2022, Asian Americans died from diabetes 29% less often than the U.S. population overall. In 2021, Asian American adults with diabetes were 14% less likely to have vision problems than U.S. adults with diabetes.
For additional data on diabetes and Asian Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Black/African American
In 2024, Black/African American adults were 24% more likely than U.S. adults overall to have diabetes. In 2023, Black/African American adults with diabetes were 9% more likely than U.S. adults with diabetes to get a yearly eye exam. In 2022, Black/African Americans died from diabetes 78% more often than the U.S. population overall. In 2021, Black/African American adults were more than twice as likely as U.S. adults overall to develop kidney failure caused by diabetes.
For additional data on diabetes and Black or African Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Hispanic/Latino
In 2024, Hispanic/Latino adults were 13% more likely than U.S. adults overall to have diabetes. In 2023, Hispanic/Latino adults with diabetes were 4% less likely than U.S. adults with diabetes to get a yearly eye exam. In 2022, Hispanic/Latino Americans died from diabetes 17% more often than the U.S. population overall. In 2021, Hispanic/Latino adults were 81% more likely than U.S. adults overall to develop kidney failure caused by diabetes.
For additional data on diabetes and Hispanic Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
In 2024, NHPI adults were about as likely as U.S. adults overall to have diabetes. In 2022, NHPI people died from diabetes more than twice as often as the U.S. population overall.
For additional data on diabetes and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, please visit our Population Profiles.
Date Last Reviewed: February 2026