Diabetes prevalence highlights need for early screening in Asian populations

Health authorities and recent research are emphasizing the importance of early diabetes detection, particularly among Asian populations who face higher risks at lower Body Mass Index (BMI) levels. In Taiwan, the prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 20 and older has reached 13.1 percent, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The agency noted that approximately 22,000 individuals have successfully returned their HbA1c levels to normal through metabolic syndrome prevention programs.

In the United States, a white paper regarding the Chinese community in New York highlights that Asian Americans often develop type 2 diabetes at a lower BMI than other groups. Research suggests a BMI of 23 is a more effective screening threshold for identifying undiagnosed cases in Asian populations compared to the standard BMI of 25. Data from New York indicates that 13 percent of Asian American adults have diabetes, nearly double the rate of white adults.

Legislative efforts are underway in New York to support prevention, with a bill passed by both houses of the state legislature that would require insurance companies to cover screenings for diabetes and prediabetes without patient cost-sharing based on clinical guidelines.