Diabetes Management Regimens and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in African American Men

One of the most common health complications related to diabetes is the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies addressing the association between adherence to diabetes management regimens and the risk of CVD among minority populations are limited. This cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the association between diabetes management regimens and risk of CVD among African American men. The health belief model was used to frame the study. Data were collected from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System database for the states of Missouri and Ohio. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between adherence to diabetes management regimens and the risk of CVD in diabetic African American men in the 2 states. Results indicated that adherence to recommended checkup frequencies and insulin therapies were not significantly associated with the risk of CVD. Participants who attended college or technical school had a lower risk of diagnosis of CVD compared to those who did not attend. Participants in the top income bracket had a lower risk of diagnosis of CVD compared to those in the bottom income bracket. Social change implications include consideration of socioeconomic factors such as educational status and income when planning and implementing diabetes management regimens to reduce the risk of CVD among diabetic African American men