The Hispanic community in San Antonio, Texas is facing a health crisis due to the high incidence of diabetes in the city, according to a report published by The New York Times. Experts believe that this high impact among Latinos is due to a combination of factors, including lifestyle, diet, culture, genetics, socioeconomic obstacles, and access to healthcare.
Experts from the Texas Diabetes Institute, managed by University Health, have noted that the consequences of type 2 diabetes in San Antonio, which has a majority Mexican-American population, are severe, with a high rate of diabetes-related amputations. In fact, the city is being referred to as the “world capital of the diabetic foot” due to the high number of complications related to the disease.
The prevalence of diabetes-related amputations in Texas is one of the highest in the country, particularly among men. The New York Times reported that about 52 per 100,000 hospital admissions result in diabetes-related amputations, with a higher prevalence among men than women.
In a study published in 2023 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, researchers from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center highlighted various barriers faced by the Hispanic community, including educational, socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic barriers, as well as lifestyle factors and limited access to healthcare, which contribute to the development of diabetes.
The increasing prevalence of diabetes among Latino communities in the United States has become a major concern. According to recent data from the National Diabetes Prevention Program, 136 million people in the United States live with diabetes or prediabetes daily, with the prevalence of the diagnosis highest among certain racial and ethnic groups.
Dr. Ralph DeFronzo explained to The New York Times that the diet in San Antonio, which includes products such as flour tortillas, fatty oils, red meat, and processed carbohydrates, can contribute to the development of diabetes. Moreover, patients from minority communities are less likely to receive preventive care, as noted in a study published in 2022 on diabetes complications among ethnic minorities in the United States.
A study also revealed that 76% of the adult population in San Antonio is obese or overweight, with the disease having a significant impact on society. The Texas Diabetes Institute, which serves 80,000 people in a Hispanic area of the city with fewer health resources, is working to address the effects of diabetes, particularly among men and children, with an increased focus on education and prevention efforts.
Julius Hunter, the coordinator of the Diabetes Prevention and Control program in San Antonio, pointed out that cultural factors may be contributing to the high incidence of diabetes among men, as many men tend to ignore the first symptoms of the disease. Efforts are being made to improve education and awareness, particularly among the male population, to address the growing problem.