Studying the impact of social determinants on Type 2 diabetes

Overview

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota collaborated with a leading health services innovation company to conduct a whole-person analysis of the impact of social determinants on Type 2 diabetes.

The goal: To identify the most important clinical and nonclinical factors that impact the onset and progression of diabetes in members.

For this analysis, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation SDOH framework was used to connect social factors to diabetes health outcomes to understand how social determinants contribute to progress of disease and how we may intervene before that happens. This framework offers an actionable tool for applied health equity work at the individual and population level.

About social determinants 

Overwhelming evidence indicates that social determinants of health make up roughly 80 percent of a person’s health outcomes.¹ And 68 percent of people experience at least one social determinant challenge at any given time.²

Diabetes is seventh leading cause of death; burden is unequal

Over the past two decades, the rate of diabetes has doubled in the U.S., now ranking as the seventh leading cause of death.³ The burden of this disease is not shared equally, however. Research has shown that Type 2 diabetes affects marginalized populations unevenly, with the highest prevalence among people of color.⁴

Note: This analysis focused on Type 2 diabetes, however, this framework could be applied to any disease.

Watch for more research and initiatives designed to increase the opportunity for improved care management, reduced disparities and better outcomes.