Compared to the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes

13.2% of all African Americans aged 20 years or older have diagnosed diabetes.
African Americans are 1.7 times more likely to have diabetes as non Hispanic whites.

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk for a number of serious, sometimes life-threatening complications, and certain populations experience an even greater threat. Good diabetes management can help reduce your risk; however, many people are not even aware that they have diabetes until they develop one of its complications.

African-Americans are significantly more likely to suffer from blindness, kidney disease and amputations.

See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/high-risk-populations/treatment-african-americans.html#sthash.RcFB992Z.dpuf