Social and Structural Determinants of Cardiovascular Complications of Diabetes

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in people who have diabetes. Racial and ethnic minorities with diabetes have suboptimal management of cardiovascular risk factors, leading to higher mortality. Social and structural determinants of health are external factors that influence an individual’s ability to choose positive health behaviors. In this review, we will discuss cardiovascular complications in people who have diabetes and their relationship to social determinants of health (SDOH).

Recent innovations in diabetes treatment, including new devices and medications, have improved care and survival. However, disparities in the availability of these treatments to racial and ethnic minorities may contribute to continued inequities in CVD outcomes.

Racial/ethnic disparities in CVD relate to inequities in economic opportunity, education and health literacy, neighborhoods and social cohesion, and health care access and quality driven by structural racism.