Social determinants of vulnerabilities in type 2 diabetes: a call to action

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic disease which leads to high morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Although relevant gains have been made towards evidence-based diabetes care, patients with T2D still experience diabetes complications and excess mortality risk, owing to multiple contributors, including non-clinical factors. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the main social determinants of vulnerabilities, which are known to have a relevant impact on T2D outcomes.

As chronic diseases are under the influence of social inequalities, medicine and sociology are intertwined in the attempt to understand, explain and address them. There is robust evidence about a clear relationship between social determinants of health (SDOH), such as socio-economic status (occupation, education, income), and the likelihood of developing T2D and its complications. Furthermore, the uncontrolled widespread of T2D in urban areas, mainly among suburban communities, suggests that cities might act as amplifiers of SDOH, enhancing inequalities in health care and, therefore, life expectancy.

In light of the strong association between socio-cultural aspects and T2D outcomes, a global action is needed to raise awareness about disparities in diabetes prevention and treatment to reduce the burden of the disease.