Chapter 67

Social Determinants of Diabetes

Keri F. Kirk

Keri F. Kirk

Department of Family Medicine and Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine, MedStar-Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA

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Gerald McKinley

Gerald McKinley

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada

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Briana Mezuk

Briana Mezuk

Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

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Erica Spears

Erica Spears

Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA, USA

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First published: 12 January 2024

Summary

While social determinants of health have been examined as determinants of various aspects of diabetes care (i.e. medication taking, glycaemic management), there also is a growing body of literature on how social determinants shape the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Using illustrative examples from the USA and Canada, this chapter describes how social determinants of health drive racial inequities in type 2 diabetes. It describes how macro- and meso-level factors influence the risk of type 2 diabetes by structuring the dimensions on which individuals can make choices about health behaviours. Social inequities in type 2 diabetes exist across all dimensions of this disease, including incidence, prevalence, complications, and mortality. Social determinants of health systematically shape the options individuals have for engaging in type 2 diabetes prevention behaviours, and therefore have direct impacts on the choices that individuals make. The chapter concludes with key takeaway messages for clinicians and public health practitioners.

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