Racial differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among persons with diabetes

Persons with diabetes are at greater risk of numerous health complications including coronary heart disease and stroke. We used telephone survey data to assess racial variations in the level of cardiovascular risk factors among Missouri diabetics. The four risk factors included physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension, and cigarette smoking. Each risk factor except smoking was more common among persons with diabetes than among non-diabetics. In addition, these risk factors were more common among Blacks than among Whites. Our results suggest the need for expanded efforts at controlling diabetic complications among person at high-risk.