Authors : Md Rakibul Hasan; Moryom Akter Muna

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3kzuyrwa

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/46jj9cf7

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jan685

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Background: Type 2 diabetes remains a major public health concern in the United States, with disproportionate burden among racially minoritized and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. In Kentucky, and particularly in Jefferson County, diabetes prevalence exceeds national benchmarks and reflects persistent inequities shaped by social, behavioral, and structural determinants. Despite extensive national literature on diabetes risk factors, fewer studies have synthesized population-level indicators to describe how contextual barriers influence diabetes care access in mid-sized urban settings.  Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional community health needs assessment was conducted using publicly available secondary data from national, state, and local sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Census Bureau, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and community health reports. Descriptive analyses were used to characterize diabetes prevalence, demographic patterns, socioeconomic conditions, behavioral risk indicators, and structural access barriers in Jefferson County. The Theory of Planned Behavior was applied as a conceptual framework to guide interpretation without causal inference.  Results: In 2022, the crude prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in Jefferson County was approximately 13.5%, exceeding the national prevalence of 12.0%, while age-adjusted prevalence remained higher than the national estimate (12.0% vs. 10.4%). Diabetes burden was disproportionately higher among Black residents and in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, particularly in West Louisville, where prevalence approached 20%, compared with 10–12% in more affluent areas. Socioeconomic vulnerability was substantial, with 14% of residents living below the federal poverty level, 10% of households receiving SNAP benefits, and 43% of renters experiencing housing cost burden. Behavioral and environmental risk factors were prevalent, including adult obesity (24%), smoking (22%), and limited access to healthy food affecting nearly 93,000 residents living in food deserts.  Conclusion: Publicly available data reveal a persistent and inequitable diabetes burden in Jefferson County driven by intersecting demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and structural factors. These findings underscore the need for equity-focused, community-informed strategies that address both behavioral determinants and systemic barriers to improve diabetes care access and outcomes in underserved urban populations.

Keywords : Type 2 Diabetes; Health Disparities; Access to Care; Social Determinants of Health; Community Health Assessment, United States.

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