U.S. study finds SDOH linked with youth-onset prediabetes

University of Pittsburgh researchers say food insecurity, low household income and not having private health insurance are associated with higher rates of prediabetes in adolescents, independent of race and ethnicity. The findings suggest screening for social determinants of health (SDOH) may identify youth at risk of prediabetes, which could ultimately improve early interventions that prevent progression to type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are more prevalent among American youth who identify as Native American, Alaska Native, Asian, Black and Hispanic than their white counterparts. However, because these minoritized groups are also more likely to experience adverse SDOH, it’s likely these social factors, rather than race itself, that influence disease risk.