Type 2 diabetes in urban black and rural white women.
The purpose of this secondary analysis was to describe and compare physiological, psychosocial, and self-management characteristics of urban black and rural white women with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the northeast United States.



A descriptive, cross-sectional secondary analysis was conducted with baseline data from 2 independent study samples: rural white women and urban black women.



Results revealed the sample were on average educated, working, low-income, mid-life women with poor glycemic and blood pressure control, despite having a usual source of primary care. When compared, black women were younger, had lower income levels, worked more, and were often single and/or divorced. They had worse glycemic control, significantly higher levels of diabetes-related emotional distress, and less support than white women.



Despite differences in geography and study findings, both groups had suboptimal physiological and psychosocial levels that impede self-management. These findings serve to aid in the understanding of health disparities, emphasizing the importance of developing and evaluating effective interventions of diabetes care for women with T2D.
Melkus
Gail D'Eramo
GD
The Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut.
Whittemore
Robin
R
The Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut.
Mitchell
Jessica
J
The Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut.
D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D011203:Poverty; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D001786:Blood Glucose