Diabetes Prevention in the Hispanic Community: What It Is, Risks, and How to Take Action in Time

Diabetes prevention in the Hispanic community is one of the most important public health priorities in the United States. At SuperVive, we see every day how access to reliable information, health education, and community support can help people develop habits that reduce their risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

Through programs such as El Camino Rojo and SuperVive Comunidad, hundreds of participants have strengthened habits related to healthy eating, physical activity, mental health, and health empowerment. These changes not only improve daily well-being, but also help prevent or manage conditions that disproportionately affect the Hispanic community.

Diabetes affects millions of people, and when it is not detected or managed early, it can lead to serious complications that affect the quality of life of individuals, families, and entire communities.

The good news is that, in many cases, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through sustainable lifestyle changes and greater health empowerment.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot properly use insulin to regulate blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels.

The most common form is type 2 diabetes, which accounts for approximately 90% to 95% of all diagnosed diabetes cases.

When blood glucose remains elevated for long periods, it can damage important organs and systems throughout the body.

What Is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes occurs when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but have not yet reached the diabetes range.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 3 adults in the United States has prediabetes, and most do not know they have it because they may not experience any symptoms.

Early detection, combined with lifestyle changes, can make a significant difference by allowing people to take action before the condition progresses.

Diabetes in the Hispanic Community

Diabetes disproportionately affects the Hispanic community.

According to the CDC, Hispanic adults are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic White adults.

Factors such as limited access to preventive services, language barriers, chronic stress, socioeconomic conditions, and a higher prevalence of obesity all contribute to this increased risk.

That is why discussing diabetes prevention in the Hispanic community also means discussing health education, access, and equity.

What Are the Risks of Diabetes?

When diabetes is not properly managed, it can increase the risk of:

• Cardiovascular disease

• High blood pressure

• Kidney damage

• Vision problems and blindness

• Nerve damage

• Complications affecting the feet and limbs

• Stroke

Many people live for years without noticeable symptoms, which is why preventive health screenings are essential.

How Can Diabetes Be Prevented Sustainably?

Prevention does not require extreme changes.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), small, consistent changes can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Some strategies include:

• Maintaining a balanced diet

• Increasing regular physical activity to at least three times per week

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Getting routine medical checkups

• Monitoring blood glucose levels when recommended

• Actively participating in health-related decisions

Prevention begins with information, but it becomes stronger through action and ongoing support.

Real Stories: Prevention Can Change the Course of Your Health

Diabetes often does not develop overnight. Before a diagnosis, there is a stage known as prediabetes, during which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but there is still an important opportunity to take action.

That was the case for Brenda T., a participant in El Camino Rojo.

During one of her medical checkups, Brenda learned that her levels placed her in the prediabetes range. After incorporating changes in her diet, physical activity, and health habits learned through the program, she received encouraging news:

“My levels were high, and I was prediabetic. The last time I went, my doctor told me that I now just needed to be careful so I would not reach that stage again. My levels were still high, but they had improved.”

Melissa O.’s experience tells a similar story.

Before participating in El Camino Rojo, Melissa was very close to the prediabetes range and had elevated triglyceride levels. After implementing sustainable lifestyle changes, her results improved significantly.

“Before, I was one point below the prediabetes range. After the workshop, I was well below the prediabetes range. My triglycerides were extremely high before, and afterward, they were normal.”

These stories remind us of something important: prevention works. When people have access to education, support, and practical tools to care for their health, they can make decisions that improve their health outcomes and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Prevention Is Also Shaped by Where We Live

Diabetes is not only a medical condition. It is also influenced by the environments where we live, work, and grow.

According to PCCI’s Community Vulnerability Compass, the 10 ZIP codes where SuperVive has the greatest presence face diabetes risk levels in the 84th percentile, a level considered “Very High.”

However, some communities face an even greater challenge. In Melissa O.’s ZIP code, 75217, vulnerability related to diabetes reaches the 95th percentile.

At SuperVive, we do not want a number to define the future of our participants or their families. During 2025, we directly supported seven courageous women from this ZIP code, providing them with tools to pursue well-being and become empowered in their health through our El Camino Rojo and SuperVive Comunidad programs.

The impact is real and measurable. At SuperVive, we know that data gives us the map, while education and the strength of community provide the path toward sustainable change. Our results tell a story of resilience:

Nutrition Education:96% of our participants report adopting practical tools to support healthy eating in their daily lives.

Health Self-Management: 95% have developed the habit of visiting a doctor and completing routine health screenings. Most importantly, they have gained the confidence to actively participate in decisions about their treatment.

Moving Our Bodies: 95% have increased or maintained their level of physical activity.

All of these changes help prevent diabetes and empower people to manage it using accessible tools.

Conclusion: Prevention Begins Today

Ask your doctor about a diabetes prevention program.

In many cases, diabetes can be prevented or delayed when people have access to reliable information, support, and the right tools.

Diabetes prevention in the Hispanic community is not only about preventing a disease. It is about protecting our quality of life, our families, and our future.

Prevention begins with small changes. However, those changes become even more powerful when we make them together as a community.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Diabetes Statistics Report.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Prediabetes Facts.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Diabetes Prevention Program Research.

American Diabetes Association (ADA), Understanding Type 2 Diabetes.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2026). National Diabetes Statistics Report. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Prediabetes: Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/es/prevention-type-2/la-prediabetes-su-oportunidad-para-prevenir-la-diabetes-tipo-2.html

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). (n.d.). Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/diabetes/diabetes-prevention-program-dpp

American Diabetes Association (ADA). (n.d.). Understanding Type 2 Diabetes [Fact sheet]. Retrieved from https://professional.diabetes.org/sites/default/files/media/ada-factsheet-understandingdiabetes.pdf