by Pamela Rodriguez

Created on: March 14, 2011

Several studies done in the past show certain disease risks are linked with specific locations, or areas of the United States.  One prominent study determined what has now been titled, the “Stroke Belt”.  Recently, that same area has also earned the distinction of being the “Diabetes Belt”.

Diabetes Belt

A recent article in the

American Journal of Preventative Medicine showed government researchers pinpointed several areas in the U.S. that seem to contain a higher incidence of diabetes.  These areas, primarily in the Southeastern area of the country, were identified by using data compiled in a county by county search metric.

The research shows clusters of high rates of diabetes type 2 in 644 counties in 15 different states, including Louisiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and nearly all of Mississippi, to name a few. When researchers analyzed the data, there were three main characteristics that they had in common and seemed to distinguish these counties from the rest of the country:

     •  The areas in the diabetes belt had significantly more non-Hispanic and African Americans at 23.8%, compared to the rest of   the country at 8.6%.

     •  Incidences of obesity were much greater in these areas, at 32.8% than in other parts of the United States, at 26.1%.

     •  Sedentary lifestyles were more prevalent in these areas, than the rest of the U.S.

A Surprising Discovery

One startling statistic that has arisen from this study shows those who are thin in this southeastern swath are more likely to have diabetes, than their thin counterparts in the rest of the country.

According to Lawrence Barker from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who was instrumental in the research, no one is sure why this is the case, but it is thought that perhaps cultural differences may play a part.  Barker said, “Cultural factors are very hard to measure, for example, traditional diet (or) attitudes toward seeking medical care."

Why does it Matter Where a Diabetic Lives?

If there is a particular area that shows people are more likely to having a particular disease, then information can be disseminated and education can be geared towards these areas to help these people seek treatment.

Diabetes, though a chronic disease, is manageable if medications and lifestyle changes are implemented targeting the main issue, which is high blood sugar levels.  Newer oral and injectable medications are now available that do exceedingly well at maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. 

Education is pivotal in helping anyone with diabetes.  Research leading to breakthroughs occurs every year. In order to manage their disease, more diabetics should keep up-to-date on these changes.  Understanding where diabetics are in the country, allows healthcare professionals to reach out and help them more effectively.

Additional Sources

"Geographic Distribution of Diagnosed Diabetes in the U.S.: A Diabetes Belt"
Lawrence E. Barker, PhD, Karen A. Kirtland, PhD, Edward W. Gregg, PhD, Linda S. Geiss,

MA, and Theodore J. Thompson, MS.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 40, Issue 4 (April 2011) . doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2010.12.019.

Learn more about this author, Pamela Rodriguez.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.