Gaps in care among people from disadvantaged or historically oppressed groups have become front and center over the past few years, as minorities within the U.S. continue to be disproportionately affected by certain diseases. Despite diabetes being a protected disability under federal law, the chronic health condition remains one of the top health concerns that plague minorities. Estimates indicate that rates of diabetes are almost 1.5 times higher among minority ethnic groups, while other studies have found medical costs and lost wages of people with diabetes contribute to $327 billion annually, further blocking access to those of lower socioeconomic status.

These disparities in diabetes care for minorities are the result of a combination of limited access to health care services, a lack of affordable medications, cultural and linguistic differences and little educational resources around the health condition. Health care organizations, both providers and suppliers, have the responsibility to understand, address and break down these barriers to ensure underserved populations have access to comprehensive diabetes care for better health outcomes.