Currently 60% of people with diabetes in the world are Asian. People of Asian descent are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to people of European descent, even when they have a lower body weight.
Aboriginal peoples living in Canada are three to four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than the rest of the country. Aboriginal peoples also have higher rates of diabetes complications than other Canadians.
African-Canadians are almost twice as likely to develop diabetes than Canadians of European descent. African-Canadians are also more likely to experience the complications of diabetes, or even die from diabetes.
Rates of diabetes in Hispanic people are almost double those seen in Canadians of European descent. Hispanic people are more likely to experience the complications associated with diabetes such as high blood pressure, blindness, nerve damage, and amputation.