Minorities have a higher risk for type 2 diabetes. While researchers continue to study why diabetes is more common among certain ethnicities and races, they have identified some possible reasons for the disparity.

Two of these factors are:

Genetic – Genetics can affect the pancreas’ ability to produce enough insulin or the body's ability to respond. Plus, some populations tend to accumulate belly fat, increasing their risk for type 2 diabetes.

Socioeconomic – Lack of access to healthy food, health care and environments that support physical activity are barriers to preventing or managing type 2 diabetes. A 2013 study by John Hopkins University found that minorities with type 2 diabetes had a higher risk for complications like retinopathy, kidney failure, and limb amputations. The study’s authors determined that a lack of access to health insurance and medical care may have played a role.

Check out the infographic below (or download this .pdf) to find out more about the risk factors minorities face.