Diabetes is a major cause of kidney failure, heart disease and stroke, and the 8^th leading cause of death in the United States. Associated with lack of activity and being overweight and obese, Type 2 diabetes is a growing public health concern across the U.S.

In 2016-18, African Americans in Westchester County had the highest rate of deaths due to diabetes at 24 per 100,000, more than double the rate for Hispanics and Asians, both at 10 per 100,000 and 8 per 100,000 for whites. Westchester's rates are below state rates for all racial/ethnic groups.

Compared with similar counties, Westchester had the second highest morality rate from diabetes among African Americans behind Putnam County at 39, the second highest rate among Hispanics behind Rockland at 13, and the third highest rate among Asians behind Putnam at 29 and Nassau at 11.

Lack of access to health care and lower socioeconomic status among African American and other populations can be barriers to preventing diabetes and managing diabetes once diagnosed. Minority populations with diabetes are more likely to receive less and lower-quality care and have serious diabetes-related complications. Genetic predisposition, higher rates of obesity, earlier onset, diet and lack of exercise have all been shown to contribute to these racial and ethnic disparities.

Rates are age-adjusted, meaning adjusted to account for differences in age distributions across geographies.