Educational Attainment Better Protects Non-Latino than Latino People Against Diabetes Mellitus

High educational attainment is a well-recognized protective factor against health problems such as diabetes. However, the theory of Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs) suggests that this protective effect is weaker for ethnic minorities compared to non-Latino Whites. This diminished effect is thought to result from structural inequalities, such as lower-quality education and fewer occupational opportunities, faced by ethnic minorities.

This study examined the protective effect of years of schooling-used as a proxy for educational attainment-on diabetes mellitus (DM), overall and by ethnicity. Based on the MDRs framework, we hypothesized that the protective effect of education would be weaker for Latino individuals compared to non-Latinos.

Data were drawn from the 2012 wave of the Understanding America Study (UAS), a nationally representative, internet-based panel. The outcome of interest was self-reported doctor diagnosis of DM. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between educational attainment and DM, with an interaction term to explore differences between Latino and non-Latino individuals. Models were adjusted for age, sex, employment, immigration status, and marital status. Findings were presented as adjusted odds ratios (OR), p-values, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Higher educational attainment was associated with lower odds of DM in both Latino and non-Latino individuals (p < 0.001). An interaction between education and ethnicity (p < 0.05) indicated that the protective effect of education was weaker for Latino individuals compared to non-Latinos.

The findings align with the MDRs framework, which suggests that the health benefits of education are not equally distributed across ethnic groups. For Latino individuals, structural barriers such as lower educational quality and labor market discrimination may limit the protective effect of education against DM. While education is a key determinant of health, its unequal returns contribute to ethnic health disparities. Policymakers must address structural inequalities in education and employment that disproportionately affect ethnic minorities. Tackling these disparities through multi-sector policy interventions will require bipartisan political support.