Diabetes in minority populations.

The prevalence and incidence of diabetes are higher in several ethnic minority populations in the US, including Hispanic, Asian, African, and Native Americans. Nurse practitioners will encounter increasing numbers of patients from these population groups in the future. Of major concern is the high prevalence of additional risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and low socioeconomic status, which contribute to the increased rate of complications of this disease in these groups. Emphasis must be placed on screening and risk reduction, and diabetes management in these groups must be culturally sensitive and relevant.