Exploring Health Disparities and Clinical Inertia in People with Diabetes

CDC estimates that approximately 30.3 million people in the United States have diabetes. Certain racial and ethnic groups have a higher prevalence of diabetes, which may be due to health disparities related to cultural, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors, as well as access to and utilization of health care.

It’s important for pharmacists to recognize and understand these factors to better treat their patients with diabetes. Equally important is when to recognize that treatment in patients with diabetes needs to be initiated or escalated. Clinical inertia is common in people with diabetes, and long periods of hyperglycemia can result in diabetes-associated complications and a reduced life expectancy.