Diabetes is rising fast in the U.S., and its impact isn’t spread evenly across all communities. Hispanic (Latino) and Asian Americans face higher risks of type 2 diabetes compared to non‑Hispanic white Americans.
Hispanic adults are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and 1.5 times more likely to die from it. Asian Americans face about a 40% higher risk of diagnosis.
These communities are incredibly diverse, with many different cultures and backgrounds, yet they still face a disproportionate burden of diabetes.
This article explores diabetes in Hispanic and Asian American communities and shares practical ways to prevent and manage it. Our aim is to share information that’s both respectful and empowering, highlighting the science and the real human stories, and pointing toward solutions that make a difference.
Diabetes and the Communities Most at Risk
Diabetes has become more prevalent in the overall U.S. population, but recent studies show that certain ethnic groups are hit especially hard.
Broadly, about 22% of Hispanic adults and 19% of Asian adults in the U.S. have diabetes (combining both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases) - roughly double the prevalence in non-Hispanic white adults.
By comparison, about 12% of white adults have diabetes. This means Hispanic and Asian American communities are carrying a significantly heavier burden of this disease.
Diabetes and Hispanic Adults
It’s important to note that “Hispanic or Latino” and “Asian American” are broad labels, each encompassing many subgroups with distinct cultures and ancestries. Within these populations, diabetes prevalence can vary widely.
For example, among Hispanic/Latino Americans:
- Mexican-origin adults: ~25% have diabetes (diagnosed or undiagnosed)
- Puerto Ricans: ~22%
- Cuban and Dominican Americans (grouped in one study): ~21%
- Central Americans: ~19%
- South Americans: ~12%
These figures, derived from a national survey (NHANES 2011–2016), underscore that while Hispanics/Latinos overall have high diabetes rates, those of Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban/Dominican backgrounds experience the highest prevalence.
Diabetes and Asian Americans
A similar pattern of variation is seen among Asian Americans, who represent a diverse array of ethnicities (including East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and more). Research reveals substantial differences in diabetes rates:
- South Asians (e.g., Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi heritage): ~23% have diabetes
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Southeast Asians (e.g., Filipino, Vietnamese, Thai heritage): ~22%
East Asians (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean heritage): ~14%
In this analysis of 2011–2016 data, South Asian and Southeast Asian Americans had the highest diabetes prevalence (around 1 in 4 adults), whereas East Asian groups had lower prevalence (about 1 in 7).
Why Are Hispanic and Asian Americans at Higher Risk?
It’s a complex question with no single answer. The higher rates of type 2 diabetes in these populations arise from an interplay of genetic susceptibility, cultural dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and social determinants of health.
Importantly, saying a group is at higher risk is not about casting blame or stereotypes - it’s about understanding real factors that, on average, have impacted these communities.
Each individual is different, but at the population level, researchers have identified several contributors to the disparity:
Genetic and Biological Factors
Many Hispanic/Latino individuals carry Indigenous ancestry, which may predispose them to insulin resistance. Historically, genes that helped populations survive periods of food scarcity can now contribute to higher diabetes risk in today’s environment of constant food availability.
One key biological difference is body fat distribution. Research shows that Asian Americans tend to have more visceral fat (fat around the organs) and less muscle mass than whites or other groups, even at the same BMI.
It’s important to note that genetics set the stage, but environment and lifestyle decide the outcome. Family history is common, yet diet, activity, and weight often determine who develops the disease.
Dietary Patterns and Cultural Factors
Diet is often the first thing people think of in connection with diabetes. Traditional diets in Hispanic and Asian cultures are incredibly diverse, but they have historically included many healthful elements.
For instance, Latin American cuisines feature frijoles (beans), vegetables like squash and peppers, tropical fruits, corn tortillas, and whole grains - alongside those famous rich items like cheese, meats, and fried foods.
There’s a misconception that Hispanic foods are inherently unhealthy or uniformly fatty. In reality, many Hispanic cultures embrace a balanced diet that incorporates plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains
When people move to the U.S. or live a more fast-paced lifestyle, sometimes the healthy traditional ingredients get replaced with convenience foods (think fast-food tacos, pizza, sugary drinks) that are higher in processed carbs and fats.
For Asian Americans, traditional diets vary from rice-and-vegetable-heavy East Asian cuisines to spicier South Asian curries and lentil dishes. Historically, many Asian diets were low in processed sugar and rich in vegetables, tofu, fish, etc.
The Westernization of diets - more meats, oils, and refined sugars - has been linked to rising diabetes rates in Asian countries and among immigrants. A striking example is a study that found Japanese immigrants in the U.S. were three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than their counterparts in Japan.
This suggests that adopting American dietary habits and larger portion sizes can dramatically increase risk, even in people who might not have gotten diabetes if they’d kept a traditional lifestyle.
Physical Activity and Obesity
Sedentary lifestyles and obesity are risk factors for everyone, but patterns differ by group.
About eight in ten Hispanic American adults are overweight or obese, a higher proportion than among whites, which certainly drives up type 2 diabetes cases (since excess weight impairs insulin’s effectiveness).
Culturally, body size norms also differ. In some Latino cultures, extra weight isn’t viewed negatively, and regular gym workouts may be uncommon, especially for older generations or immigrants who were active in manual labor back home but became sedentary in U.S. service jobs.
Asian Americans present an interesting paradox: they have comparatively lower obesity rates, yet can develop diabetes at lower weights. It’s now understood that visceral fat and lack of muscle (as mentioned earlier) mean that BMI is not a one-size-fits-all indicator of risk.
However, promoting exercise in some Asian American subgroups faces practical and cultural hurdles. For instance, older generations might not have a habit of “working out” if it wasn’t part of their lifestyle back home, and younger Asian Americans often face academic or work pressures that limit leisure time for exercise.
Healthcare Access and Socioeconomic Factors
Social determinants of health significantly affect diabetes outcomes.
Hispanic Americans, on average, have lower income and health insurance rates than non-Hispanic whites. This can limit access to healthy foods (living in “food deserts” with limited fresh produce), safe spaces for exercise, and quality healthcare.
If you can’t afford regular check-ups or don’t have a consistent doctor, diabetes may go undiagnosed longer and complications untreated. There are also issues of immigration status and fear, where undocumented individuals or recent immigrants might avoid medical care until absolutely necessary, due to cost or fear of deportation.
For Asian Americans, who as a whole have a wide economic range (from some of the highest-income households to some of the lowest, especially among certain Southeast Asian refugee communities), access to care can be uneven.
Language barriers are significant for those not fluent in English. Imagine trying to understand nutritional advice or medication instructions in a second language. Without culturally and linguistically competent care, important information might not get through.
Some Asian cultures also have traditional healing practices and may initially approach illness through home remedies or herbal treatments; while these can be supportive, they might not fully manage a chronic condition like diabetes.
Another subtle factor is perception and stigma.
In certain cultures, having a disease like diabetes might be kept private to “save face” or avoid burdening family, leading individuals to not seek support or share their struggles.
Mental health and stress also play roles. Many immigrant families experience stress related to acculturation, discrimination, or economic pressure, which can indirectly influence health behaviors and glucose control (stress hormones can worsen blood sugar).
All these socio-cultural elements create additional layers of risk that compound the basic biological susceptibility.
Preventing and Managing Diabetes in Hispanic and Asian Communities
A higher risk of diabetes in these communities doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. With the right support, both prevention and management are possible.
Here are the strategies making the most impact:
Culturally Tailored Lifestyle Programs
General advice to “eat healthy and exercise” works best when adapted to culture.
The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), led by the CDC, has been successful in Hispanic communities where classes are offered in Spanish and hosted in churches, YMCAs, and clinics. Participants who join structured lifestyle programs can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than half.
Programs that stand out include:
- ¡Vida siempre saludable! and Por Tu Familia (ADA), which teach families to prepare healthier versions of traditional dishes and stay active together.
- Asian-focused adaptations of the DPP, which use familiar foods (like rice or curries) to teach balanced meal planning, and introduce culturally relevant exercises such as Bhangra dance or Tai Chi.
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The Asian American Diabetes Initiative (AADI) at Joslin Diabetes Center, which provides multilingual education and advocates for Asian-specific guidelines.
Early Screening and Education
Catching diabetes early is one of the most effective ways to change outcomes.
Experts encourage more frequent screening for Hispanic and Asian Americans, even at lower body weights. For healthcare providers, this may mean ordering A1c or glucose tests proactively.
For families, it means being aware of risk factors:
- A parent or sibling with diabetes,
- Gestational diabetes during pregnancy,
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Struggles with weight or obesity.
Many pharmacies and community events now offer free or low-cost screenings. Education is just as important.
In Hispanic communities, culturally sensitive counseling helps patients see diabetes as a manageable condition rather than a “failure.” Among Asian Americans, explaining the role of visceral fat helps people understand why diabetes can strike even at lower BMI levels.
Community Engagement and Support
Family and community bonds are powerful tools for prevention. In Latino neighborhoods, promotoras de salud (community health workers) provide practical, culturally relevant advice, such as:
- Choosing corn over flour tortillas
- Flavoring with herbs and spices instead of salt or fat
- Drinking water or fruit-infused aguas frescas instead of soda
In Asian communities, temples, churches, and ethnic associations are central to outreach. Some even host screenings after services. Ethnic media such as Spanish-language radio, Chinese newspapers, and Vietnamese TV also spread prevention messages in trusted languages, ensuring important health advice reaches the right audiences.
Medical Guidance and Treatment Adaptation
Diabetes management improves when treatment plans respect cultural preferences. Instead of eliminating familiar foods, providers are encouraged to adapt them:
- Mexican American patients can enjoy arroz con frijoles with smaller portions or brown rice.
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Indian American patients may swap white rice for whole-wheat roti or choose green tea over sweet chai.
Healthcare providers are also advised to pay attention to group-specific risks:
- Hispanic patients: higher rates of gestational diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
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Asian patients: diabetes at lower BMI cutoffs, requiring waist measurements or alternate risk markers.
Broader efforts for health equity include more Hispanic and Asian representation in clinical trials, expanded community health centers, and increased access to bilingual providers.
Empowerment and Combating Stigma
Finally, managing diabetes is also about support.
In some Hispanic families, a diagnosis is kept private, leading to isolation. Spanish-language support groups encourage open conversation and shared strategies.
In Asian American communities, fatalism (“it’s just in the blood”) can be replaced with success stories that show lifestyle changes work.
The message across both groups is clear:
- Celebrate small victories, such as a lower A1c or healthier family meals.
- Encourage open dialogue instead of stigma.
- Promote self-advocacy so patients ask for screenings and demand care that fits their culture.
From Higher Risk to Stronger, Healthier Generations
Hispanic and Asian American communities face higher risks of diabetes, but they also hold the tools to fight back: family support, cultural traditions, and resilience.
We already see it in small but powerful actions such as parents cooking healthier meals, grandparents joining walking groups, and community leaders offering screenings in trusted spaces.
The path forward is about blending cultural strengths with modern health knowledge. Simple steps like walking daily, choosing water instead of soda, or preparing balanced versions of traditional dishes can cut diabetes risk significantly. These changes, multiplied across families and neighborhoods, truly add up.
The takeaway is this: no one has to face diabetes alone.
With the support of family and community, risk can be transformed into resilience and a future of healthier generations.
