Somebody in every barbershop, beauty shop, and family cookout has “the sugar.” Grandma’s on insulin, your uncle lost a toe, your coworker checks his levels before lunch. Type 2 diabetes isn’t a stranger in our communities — it’s practically family. And it’s time we talked about it the way we’d talk about anything else that’s costing us too much: openly, honestly, and with a plan.
The Numbers
• In 2024, Black adults were 24% more likely than U.S. adults overall to have diagnosed diabetes
— 12.4% of Black adults versus 10.0% of the total population (CDC/NCHS via HHS Office of
Minority Health).
• In 2022, Black Americans died from diabetes 78% more often than the U.S. population overall (an
age-adjusted rate of 42.9 per 100,000 versus 24.1 per 100,000) (CDC/NCHS).
• In 2021, Black adults were more than twice as likely as the general population to develop kidney
failure caused by diabetes — 332.2 versus 151.5 cases per million (CDC National Diabetes
Surveillance System).
• The overall risk of developing diabetes is roughly 77% higher among Black Americans than non-Hispanic white Americans (American Diabetes Association).
Why This Hits Our Communities Harder
This isn’t about willpower — it’s about environment. When the nearest grocery store is a gas station and the nearest “produce aisle” is a bag of chips, healthy eating becomes a logistics problem before it’s ever a discipline problem. Add in the economic stress of working multiple jobs, limited access to consistent healthcare and preventive screenings, and neighborhoods with few safe places to walk or exercise, and it’s clear why our communities carry more of this burden — not because we’re doing something wrong, but because the deck has been stacked against easy wins.
Natural Habits Worth Knowing About
This section is for general wellness education only — it’s not medical advice and doesn’t replace a doctor’s care or a prescribed treatment plan. If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, talk to your doctor before changing your diet, supplement routine, or medication.
• Cinnamon. Studied in multiple clinical trials for its role in supporting normal glucose metabolism as part of a balanced diet. Research quality varies, so it’s worth discussing with your doctor rather than relying on it alone.
• Fenugreek seeds. Their high soluble fiber content is part of normal digestive function and may support healthy post-meal blood sugar responses when included as part of an overall healthy diet.
• Bitter melon (Momordica charantia). Used traditionally in many cultures and studied for its potential role in normal metabolic support — evidence is still mixed, so it’s a conversation starter with your provider, not a stand-alone plan.
• Chromium-rich foods, like broccoli and whole grains. Chromium is an essential trace mineral involved in normal carbohydrate and fat metabolism.
• Fiber-forward meals. Building plates around vegetables, legumes, and whole grains supports normal digestion and is a foundational habit for overall metabolic wellness.
• Moving after meals. A short walk after eating is a simple habit many people use to support overall activity levels and general wellness as part of a healthy lifestyle.
How Get and Stay Healthy Can Help
This is exactly why we’re building the largest online wellness marketplace and opening Get and Stay Healthy Wellness Stores in every inner-city community — because trusted, quality wellness products and education shouldn’t require a trip across town. Whether it’s sourcing whole-food ingredients, connecting with community wellness entrepreneurs, or finding products that support a healthy lifestyle, our marketplace and stores are built to put access, opportunity, and community trust in the same place. See your doctor. Know your numbers. Then explore Get and Stay Healthy for products that support your everyday wellness journey.
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