In 2019, diabetes contributed to 13% of all African American deaths each year, and by 2021 the age adjusted diabetes death rate reached 42.9 per 100,000, about 1.7 times that of whites. Even more troubling, only 22.3% of African American adults with diabetes achieved an A1C below 7% in 2021, while complications appear to land harder across eyes, kidneys, feet, and the heart. Let’s look at the specific figures behind these disparities and how they connect.
Key Takeaways
- African Americans with diabetic retinopathy have higher complication rates.
- Kidney failure is 2.6 times more common in African Americans with diabetes.
- Amputations: African Americans are 1.9x more likely due to diabetic foot ulcers.
- In 2019, age-adjusted diabetes death rate for African Americans was 42.9 per 100,000, 1.7x whites.
- Diabetes contributes to 13% of all African American deaths annually.
- Life expectancy reduced by 6.2 years for African Americans with diabetes.
- In 2021, 13.4% of African American adults aged 18 years or older were diagnosed with diabetes, higher than the 7.5% national average.
- Approximately 4.1 million African American adults aged 20 years or older had diabetes in 2017.
- African Americans have a diabetes prevalence rate of 12.7% compared to 7.4% for non-Hispanic whites (2017-2020 data).
- African Americans are 1.8 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than whites (lifetime risk).
- Obesity prevalence among African American adults is 49.9%, strongly linked to diabetes (2017-2020).
- 90% of African American diabetes cases are type 2, associated with insulin resistance.
- Only 22.3% of African American diabetics achieve A1C <7% (2021).
- Statin use for cardioprotection in 68.4% of high-risk patients.
- Insulin initiation delayed by 2 years in African Americans vs whites.
African American adults face higher diabetes burden, leading to increased heart, kidney, and amputation complications.
Related reading
01 · Category
Complications29 stats
01
African Americans with diabetic retinopathy have higher complication rates.
02
Kidney failure is 2.6 times more common in African Americans with diabetes.
03
Amputations: African Americans are 1.9x more likely due to diabetic foot ulcers.
04
Heart disease death rate 1.7x higher in African Americans with diabetes (2021).
05
Stroke risk 1.5x greater for African Americans with diabetes.
06
34.6% of African Americans with diabetes have CKD stage 3+ (NHANES 2011-2018).
07
Vision loss from retinopathy affects 12.1% of African American diabetics.
08
Neuropathy prevalence 51.2% in African American diabetes patients (2019).
09
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in 57% of obese African American diabetics.
10
African American women with diabetes have 3.2x preeclampsia risk.
11
Dental disease 2x more prevalent, leading to periodontitis.
12
Cognitive impairment risk 1.8x higher in African American diabetics over 60.
13
Depression comorbidity in 23.8% of African American diabetes cases.
14
African Americans with diabetes have 2.4x hearing loss risk.
15
Gastroparesis affects 12-15% of long-duration African American diabetics.
16
Erectile dysfunction in 52% of African American men with diabetes >10 years.
17
Skin infections recur 2x more frequently in African American diabetics.
18
Musculoskeletal disorders like frozen shoulder in 16% of cases.
19
Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state hospitalization 1.6x higher.
20
African American diabetics have 28% higher COVID-19 mortality risk.
21
Peripheral artery disease prevalence 31% vs 23% in whites.
22
Autonomic neuropathy leads to 2x cardiac arrest risk.
23
In youth, type 2 diabetes complications emerge 5 years earlier.
24
Flu-related hospitalizations 3x higher in African American diabetics.
25
Bone fractures 1.7x more due to poor bone density.
26
African American pregnant diabetics: 25% macrosomia risk.
27
Charcot foot occurs in 0.5-2.5% annually, higher in minorities.
28
Yeast infections 3x more common in women with poor control.
29
Alzheimer's risk 65% higher with 10+ years diabetes duration.
Interpretation
Complications Interpretation
Across the complications of diabetes, African Americans face sharply higher risks, including kidney failure that is 2.6 times more common, CKD stage 3 or higher in 34.6% of people, and excess cardiovascular outcomes such as heart disease death rates 1.7 times higher and stroke risk 1.5 times greater.
02 · Category
Mortality28 stats
01
In 2019, age-adjusted diabetes death rate for African Americans was 42.9 per 100,000, 1.7x whites.
02
Diabetes contributes to 13% of all African American deaths annually.
03
Life expectancy reduced by 6.2 years for African Americans with diabetes.
04
Heart disease mortality 2.4x higher in African American diabetics (2020).
05
Stroke deaths: 50% higher rate among African American diabetics.
06
Kidney disease mortality 3.2x greater (USRDS 2021).
07
In 2017, 84,219 diabetes-related deaths among African Americans.
08
Infant mortality 2x higher if mother has diabetes (African American).
09
African American men with diabetes lose 7.4 years of life.
10
Women: 8.1 years lost due to diabetes complications.
11
Poor glycemic control (A1C>9%) leads to 3x mortality risk.
12
COVID-19 case fatality 2.7x higher in diabetics (African Americans).
13
Amputation-related mortality 50% higher post-procedure.
14
ESRD mortality rate 18.5 per 1,000 patient-years.
15
Flu/pneumonia deaths 4x higher in diabetics.
16
Sepsis mortality 2.1x elevated in uncontrolled diabetes.
17
Liver disease mortality linked to NAFLD in 22% cases.
18
Cancer mortality (colorectal) 1.4x higher with diabetes.
19
Dementia-related deaths 2x more likely.
20
Hypoglycemia-related deaths 3x underreported in minorities.
21
Post-MI mortality 38% higher in diabetics.
22
Perinatal mortality 3.5x in gestational diabetes cases.
23
African American dialysis patients with diabetes: 20% 1-year mortality.
24
DKA hospitalization mortality 1.1%, but higher in elderly.
25
HHS mortality rate 15% in African Americans.
26
Suicide risk 1.5x higher with depression-diabetes comorbidity.
27
Road traffic accidents 1.2x due to hypoglycemia.
28
Pancreatitis mortality 2x in chronic diabetics.
Interpretation
Mortality Interpretation
In the Mortality category, diabetes is a major driver of worse outcomes for African Americans, contributing to 13% of deaths each year and cutting life expectancy by 6.2 years while raising death rates for heart disease by 2.4 times, stroke by 50%, and kidney disease by 3.2 times.
03 · Category
Prevalence30 stats
01
In 2021, 13.4% of African American adults aged 18 years or older were diagnosed with diabetes, higher than the 7.5% national average.
02
Approximately 4.1 million African American adults aged 20 years or older had diabetes in 2017.
03
African Americans have a diabetes prevalence rate of 12.7% compared to 7.4% for non-Hispanic whites (2017-2020 data).
04
In 2019, diabetes prevalence among African American women was 12.9%, versus 10.2% for men.
05
Non-Hispanic Black adults are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic whites (age-adjusted, 2017-2019).
06
In 2020, 14.7% of African Americans in the South had diagnosed diabetes, the highest regional rate.
07
Among African American adults aged 65+, diabetes prevalence reached 29.2% in 2018.
08
In low-income African American communities, diabetes prevalence is 18.3% (NHANES 2015-2018).
09
Urban African Americans show a 15.1% diabetes diagnosis rate versus 11.2% rural (2016 data).
10
African American youth aged 10-19 have a type 2 diabetes incidence of 33.6 per 100,000 (2017).
11
In 2022, 1 in 7 African American adults (14.3%) reported having diabetes.
12
Diabetes undiagnosed rate among African Americans is 24.5% of total cases (2021 estimate).
13
African American men aged 45-64 have a 16.8% diabetes prevalence (NHANES 2017-2020).
14
In Georgia, 13.8% of African Americans had diabetes in 2019, above state average.
15
Mississippi African Americans exhibit 16.4% diabetes prevalence (2020 BRFSS).
16
Among obese African Americans, diabetes prevalence is 20.1% (2018 data).
17
African American adults with BMI >30 have 22.3% diabetes rate (NHANES).
18
In 2015, 11.9% of African American adults self-reported diabetes diagnosis.
19
California African Americans: 11.5% diabetes prevalence (2019 CHIS).
20
New York City African Americans: 13.2% adult diabetes rate (2021).
21
In 2020, African American seniors (65+) in nursing homes had 28.7% diabetes.
22
African American veterans: 19.4% diabetes prevalence (VA 2019).
23
In Chicago, 15.6% of African American adults have diabetes (2018).
24
Detroit African Americans: 17.2% diabetes rate (2019 study).
25
Among African American college students, 4.8% have prediabetes leading to diabetes risk (2020).
26
In 2017, African American adults in poverty had 17.9% diabetes prevalence.
27
Texas African Americans: 14.1% diabetes (2021 BRFSS).
28
Florida African Americans: 12.8% prevalence (2019).
29
Among African American pregnant women, gestational diabetes affects 7.9% (2020).
30
In 2022, national estimate: 5.3 million African Americans with diabetes.
Interpretation
Prevalence Interpretation
For the prevalence angle, diabetes affects African American adults at consistently higher rates than the national and white populations, including 13.4% diagnosed in 2021 versus 7.5% nationally and a 12.7% prevalence compared with 7.4% for non-Hispanic whites, with the gap especially pronounced in the South at 14.7% in 2020.
More related reading
04 · Category
Risk Factors30 stats
01
African Americans are 1.8 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than whites (lifetime risk).
02
Obesity prevalence among African American adults is 49.9%, strongly linked to diabetes (2017-2020).
03
90% of African American diabetes cases are type 2, associated with insulin resistance.
04
Family history increases diabetes risk by 40% in African American populations (NHANES).
05
African American women with waist circumference >35 inches have 3x diabetes risk.
06
Hypertension co-occurs in 71% of African Americans with diabetes (2018).
07
Physical inactivity rate: 30.9% among African Americans, elevating diabetes risk.
08
Poor diet high in processed foods contributes to 25% higher diabetes risk in African Americans.
09
Gestational diabetes history raises future type 2 risk by 7-fold in African American women.
10
African Americans with low vitamin D levels have 2.5x diabetes incidence.
11
Smoking prevalence 16.6% in African Americans with diabetes, worsening risk.
12
Sleep apnea affects 50% of obese African Americans, increasing diabetes risk by 2x.
13
Genetic variants like TCF7L2 increase diabetes risk 1.5-fold in African ancestry.
14
Stress from discrimination linked to 35% higher diabetes odds in African Americans.
15
Prediabetes prevalence 27.1% among African American adults (2021).
16
African American men with low HDL cholesterol have 2.2x diabetes risk.
17
High fructose corn syrup consumption correlates with 18% risk increase.
18
African Americans with polycystic ovary syndrome have 10x diabetes risk.
19
Chronic kidney disease stage 3+ precedes diabetes in 15% of cases.
20
Alcohol consumption >14 drinks/week raises risk by 1.4x.
21
African American shift workers have 28% higher diabetes incidence.
22
Lead exposure in urban areas increases risk by 22% (NHANES data).
23
Low socioeconomic status correlates with 2.3x diabetes risk.
24
African American adults with depression have 1.6x diabetes risk.
25
High sodium intake (>2300mg/day) linked to 19% risk elevation.
26
Beta cell dysfunction is more pronounced, reducing insulin secretion by 30%.
27
African American women postpartum after GDM: 18-22% develop diabetes in 5 years.
28
Inadequate fiber intake (<25g/day) increases risk by 25%.
29
African American kidney transplant recipients have 2x diabetes post-transplant risk.
30
Hyperuricemia prevalence 24% precedes diabetes onset.
Interpretation
Risk Factors Interpretation
Across the risk factors for diabetes, African Americans face a strong, compounding burden, with obesity at 49.9% and family history raising risk by 40%, alongside 1.8 times higher lifetime odds of type 2 diabetes compared with whites.
05 · Category
Treatment29 stats
01
Only 22.3% of African American diabetics achieve A1C <7% (2021).
02
Statin use for cardioprotection in 68.4% of high-risk patients.
03
Insulin initiation delayed by 2 years in African Americans vs whites.
04
SGLT2 inhibitor prescriptions 12% lower in African Americans.
05
Annual eye exams received by 52.7% of diagnosed patients.
06
Foot exams: 57.8% compliance annually.
07
A1C testing 85.2% at least twice yearly.
08
Metformin use in 54.6% of type 2 patients.
09
GLP-1 RA adoption only 8.3% despite benefits.
10
Blood pressure control <130/80 in 41.5%.
11
LDL <100 mg/dL achieved in 51.3%.
12
Smoking cessation programs reach 34% of smokers.
13
Diabetes self-management education (DSMES) participation 6.8%.
14
Telehealth visits increased to 42% during pandemic.
15
CGM use in non-insulin users 15.2%.
16
Bariatric surgery rates 1.2% among eligible obese.
17
Aspirin therapy in 39.7% primary prevention.
18
Nephrology referral for CKD in 28% of cases.
19
Vaccinations: Flu 52.1%, Pneumococcal 43.7%.
20
DPP participation prevents 58% progression to diabetes.
21
Plant-based diets adopted by 12% for management.
22
Community health worker programs reduce A1C by 0.45%.
23
Mobile apps for tracking used by 31%.
24
Renal-protective meds (ACEi/ARB) in 64.2%.
25
Hypoglycemia education received by 67%.
26
Peer support groups improve adherence by 20%.
27
Finerenone use emerging, reduces CV events 13%.
28
African American adherence to DPP lifestyle changes: 50% at 1 year.
29
Pramlintide use low at 2.1% for postprandial control.
Interpretation
Treatment Interpretation
From a treatment perspective, African Americans show substantial care gaps and delays, with only 22.3% reaching A1C below 7% while insulin initiation is delayed by 2 years and key therapies like SGLT2 prescriptions are 12% lower.
report visual · Key figures
Diabetes burden and complications are higher among African Americans
African Americans with diabetes face markedly higher risks of severe outcomes—ranging from diabetes-related mortality and organ failure to major complications like heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and neuropathy/vision loss.
6.2
Life expectancy reduced by 6.2 years for African Americans with diabetes.
2.4
Heart disease mortality 2.4x higher in African American diabetics (2020).
3.2
Kidney disease mortality 3.2x greater (USRDS 2021).
50%
Stroke deaths: 50% higher rate among African American diabetics.
51.2%
Neuropathy prevalence 51.2% in African American diabetes patients (2019).
12.1%
Vision loss from retinopathy affects 12.1% of African American diabetics.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Margot Villeneuve. (2026, February 13). African American Diabetes Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/african-american-diabetes-statistics
MLA
Margot Villeneuve. "African American Diabetes Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/african-american-diabetes-statistics.
Chicago
Margot Villeneuve. 2026. "African American Diabetes Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/african-american-diabetes-statistics.
Sources & references
34 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level