In 2025, Type II diabetes remains one of the fastest-growing health challenges in the United States — and Black women continue to be disproportionately affected. Despite living healthier lifestyles than in decades past, the diagnosis gap persists and, for many, is even widening.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (2025), non-Hispanic Black women are diagnosed with diabetes 24% more often than the general population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2025) reports that 55.9% of Black women age 20 and older live with obesity. This significant risk factor contributes to the growing number of diabetes cases.

But the rise in diabetes among Black women isn’t just about diet or genetics. It’s deeply rooted in access, stress, and systemic barriers that have been decades in the making.

Behind the Numbers

When we talk about Type II diabetes, we often hear about diet, weight, and family history. But for Black women, those factors are only part of a much larger picture.

Food Insecurity and Access

Many Black communities are located in what researchers call “food deserts,” areas where fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins are difficult to find or too expensive to buy regularly. This lack of access leads to reliance on fast food or processed meals, which are higher in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats.

Chronic Stress and Systemic Pressure

Long-term stress — especially the type caused by racial discrimination, financial strain, and the pressure to always be strong — affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. When stress hormones like cortisol remain high, blood glucose levels can rise, increasing diabetes risk even for women who appear healthy.

Healthcare Gaps and Bias

Even when Black women seek help, their concerns are too often dismissed or misdiagnosed. Implicit bias and limited access to culturally relevant care make it harder to get early screenings or consistent management plans.

As a result, many women like Tanya — who learned about her diagnosis during a routine checkup — are caught off guard. The symptoms can be subtle: fatigue, excessive thirst, or frequent urination. By the time those signs are recognized, blood sugar may already be dangerously high.

Why This Matters

Type II diabetes is not a minor condition. Over time, it can damage the heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes — and even increase the risk of certain cancers. Studies have shown that Black women with diabetes are more likely to develop estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer, which tends to be more aggressive (Palmer et al., 2017).

That means managing diabetes isn’t just about medication. It’s about empowerment — knowing your body, understanding your numbers, and making daily choices that align with your well-being.

The ROOT Framework: A Guide for Advocacy

At Rooted in Violet, we believe in turning awareness into action. The ROOT Framework helps you prepare for conversations with your healthcare team and take control of your health journey.

R — Reveal What’s Going On

Notice any unusual patterns — fatigue, thirst, blurry vision — and bring them up early. Early awareness prevents long-term damage.

O — Offer Your Observations

Write down what you’ve experienced and how often it happens. Bring these notes to your doctor.

O — Outline What You Need

Ask for screenings or follow-up tests.

Say: “I’d like to check my blood sugar and A1C levels. Can we also talk about prevention or support programs that fit my lifestyle?”

T — Take Note & Follow Up

Keep track of your lab results, your goals, and your progress. Advocacy grows through documentation.

Your voice, preparation, and persistence are the roots of your wellness.

Real Hope, Real Solutions

Change is possible — and it’s happening. Programs like the Black Women’s Health Imperative’s “Change Your Lifestyle. Change Your Life.” (CYL²) are designed specifically for Black women, offering culturally relevant guidance, virtual coaching, and real-life support. When Black women have access to programs that reflect their experiences and values, outcomes improve. As Healthline (2025) notes, lifestyle programs that integrate culture, community, and self-care significantly lower diabetes risks and boost overall wellness.

Call to Action: Your Health, Your Power

1. Know your numbers. Ask your provider to check your A1C and fasting glucose levels.
2. Members –access your Violet Sheet today! Use it to prepare questions and track your next visit. Not a subscriber? Become a Violet today!
3. Join a prevention program. Community and accountability can make all the difference.

Remember:

“You are not your diagnosis — you are your decision to rise.”

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, January 14). FastStats – Diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/diabetes.htm
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, July 14). FastStats – Health of Black or African American Population.
• https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/black-health.htm
• Henry Ford Health. (2025). Type 2 Diabetes: A Disease Where Racial And Ethnic Disparities Persist. https://www.henryford.com/Blog/2025/01/Type-2-Diabetes-Racial-Ethnic-Disparities
• Palmer, J. R., et al. (2017). Type 2 Diabetes and Incidence of Estrogen Receptor Negative Breast Cancer in African American Women. American Journal of Epidemiology, 186(1), 27–36.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health. (2025, October 8). Diabetes and Black/African Americans. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/diabetes
• Black Women’s Health Imperative. (2025). Change Your Lifestyle. Change Your Life. https://bwhi.org/cyl2/
• Healthline. (2025). Type 2 Diabetes Prevention in Black Women. https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/type-2-diabetes-prevention-in-black-women
• The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. (2023). Disparities in diabetes prevalence and management by race and ethnicity. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(23)00129-8
• Joseph, J. J. (2021). The challenge of diabetes in the Black community needs comprehensive solutions. American Heart Association News.