Health Care Access

Collaboration for Equitable Health

Learn how the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is working with partner organizations to address health disparities and inequities in underserved communities through the Collaboration for Equitable Health.

136 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancers and doubles the risk of heart disease or stroke.

Those in Black and Hispanic/Latino communities are 70% more likely to have diagnosed diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites, and American Indians/Alaskan Natives are almost twice as likely. Location, transportation access, education level, employment status, access to care, and access to healthy food also put these communities at higher risk of developing life-threatening chronic diseases, such as diabetes, certain types of cancer, and heart disease.

The connection between these diseases and the disproportionate impact on communities of color further underscores how by working through collaborative partnerships with local organizations and community members, we can begin to achieve health equity for all.

A Focus on Health Equity

National Minority Health Month: A Focus on Health Equity

We have partnered through the Collaboration for Equitable Health, powered by Bank of America, to address health disparities and drive positive change in under-resourced communities nationwide.

Where the ADA is Working

The ADA is committed to addressing the root causes of health disparities in communities of color by analyzing ZIP code–level data. To inform a place-based, community-centric approach, the ADA will focus on the following five cities and within these cities, local communities with higher diabetes rates.

Adult Diagnosed Diabetes Prevalence Estimates¹

Albuquerque, NM

13.9%—ZIP Code 87105²
12.6%—ZIP Code 87108²
9.7%—Citywide³

Atlanta, GA

19.2%—ZIP Code 30311²
17.4%—ZIP Code 30310²
16.1%—ZIP Code 30315²
10.6%—Citywide³

Charlotte, NC

16.5%—ZIP Code 28206²
14.7%—ZIP Code 28208²
9.0%—Citywide³

Denver, CO

10.9%—ZIP Code 80219²
10.2%—ZIP Code 80216²
7.6%—Citywide³

Washington, DC

13.5%—ZIP Code 20019²
13.3%—ZIP Code 20020²
12.7%—ZIP Code 20032²
7.7%—Citywide³

These areas face health equity issues, including food insecurity, food deserts (low access to grocery stores or nutritious food), poor mental health, and limited internet access—which restricts access to telehealth.

What the ADA Is Doing

Through the collaboration, the ADA aims to:

Activate and engage the community through staple ADA programs, including Project Power, a lifestyle change program that provides youth and adults with the information and skills to make healthier choices.
Increase access to care by partnering with community health organizations to increase knowledge around diabetes.
Advocate for change by working with communities to form coalitions creating change at the city level and training community members in grassroots advocacy.

Addressing Health Equity in the Community

Hear from some of our community-based partners in Albuquerque, NM; Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Washinton, DC; and Denver, CO, on how the Collaboration for Equitable Health is supporting them in addressing health equity in their communities.

Exploring Health Equity Within the Albuquerque, NM Community

Exploring Health Equity Within the Denver, CO Community

Exploring Health Equity Within the Atlanta, GA Community

Exploring Health Equity Within the Washington, DC Community

Exploring Health Equity Within the Charlotte, NC Community

About the Collaboration for Equitable Health

Too often, where someone is born and lives affects their ability to lead a healthy life. Health inequities for Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, and Native American communities are a long-standing systemic challenge.

The Collaboration for Equitable Health, powered by Bank of America, is a four-year initiative in 11 cities, which brings together the ADA, the American Cancer Society®, the American Heart Association®, and the University of Michigan School of Public Health. It aims to improve health outcomes in communities of color, specifically focusing on heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes by:

Providing educational materials, technical support, and guidance
Providing access to health screenings and quality health care
Using our collective voices to advocate for change to achieve health equity.

News from the Collaboration for Equitable Health

Ways to Support the Community

Project Power

Project Power is a no-cost lifestyle change program that raises diabetes awareness and diabetes risk reduction education through interactive lessons, tools and resources for youth and adults.

Take the Test

Risk Test

Know Your Risk for Diabetes. The 60-second Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test is a simple questionnaire that can help you know your risk for type 2 diabetes. Learn your risk today.

Take the Test

Find Community Programs

african american woman standing in food pantry holding a basket of tomatoes

Community Connection

Discover diabetes programs or resources in your area, from medical care to education to nutrition and health. Find resources in every ZIP Code so you can get the help you need wherever you are.

Find Community Programs

Advocacy

Transforming Lives with Action

Our advocacy efforts include supporting government funding for diabetes research and programs, improving access to affordable medications and technologies, ensuring access to health care, supporting insulin affordability, preventing type 2 diabetes, fighting discrimination, and much more.

Take Action

Community Health Workers

Empowering the Community

Community health workers (CHWs) play a vital role in improving the health and well-being of the communities they serve and are critical to the prevention and management of diabetes. This short continuing education (CE) program aims to increase CHWs’ understanding of diabetes and diabetes management.

Learn More

Notes and References:

"Zip-code level data" are estimates based on ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs), which are “generalized areal representations of United States Postal Service (USPS) ZIP Code service areas.” Reference: U. S. Census Bureau (2022). Zip Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs). https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/zctas.html. Accessed April 13, 2023.
PLACES (2022). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/places. Accessed April 3, 2023.
Department of Population Health, NYU Langone Health (2023). City Health Dashboard. https://www.cityhealthdashboard.com/. Accessed August 23, 2023.