I thought of Imani the other day while reading a new Centers for Disease Control report on diabetes in America (link to report).  The news isn’t good: The number of people living with diabetes has gone up 15 percent in two years.  That comes to about 24 million Americans or about 8 percent of the population.  The news is especially bad for minorities: More than 16 percent of Native Americans, 12 percent of African Americans and 10 percent of Hispanics suffer from the disease. 

So what’s going on?  “It is multi-faceted,�?says Dr. Ann Albright at CDC.  Obesity is a huge part of the equation, for some people it’s genetics and for others it has to do with what Albright calls ‘the social determinants of health.�?nbsp; For example, if you live in a neighborhood where it’s hard to find affordable fresh fruits and vegetables at the local store, it’s difficult to make healthy food choices.  And of course, personal choice also plays a role.  “It’s hard,�?says Imani with a sigh.  She has to watch her diet and keeps active.  Dancing is her passion.  The excitement of making her own diagnosis has her thinking about going to medical school.  Her advice to her fellow diabetics: “don’t give up.�?nbsp; I have a feeling Imani never will. 

I’d love to hear what you think: why do you think the diabetes rate is going up so quickly? And why do you think it is hitting minorities particularly hard?