California

Focus on Diabetes:

Disparities in Treatment: By Income

The map below shows whether the gap in the rate of HbA1c testing between people with diabetes with low income compared to high income within a State is worse than, similar to, or better than the gap that exists across all States with data.

For 2002-2004, the gap in HbA1c testing for people with diabetes for people with low income (under $15,000) compared to high income ($50,000 or more).

HbA1c monitoring uses a blood test that indicates to a health care provider how well a patient's diabetes has been controlled. It is an important test that helps providers monitor and guide patients to minimize and avoid serious complications. In the map above:

• Worse than the all-State gap means the gap in HbA1c testing between people with diabetes at low-income levels and people with diabetes at high-income levels is worse than the gap between these groups across all States with data.
• Similar to the all-State gap means the gap in HbA1c testing between people with diabetes at low-income levels and people with diabetes at high-income levels is similar to the gap between these groups across all States with data.
• Better than the all-State gap means the gap in HbA1c testing between people with diabetes at low-income levels and people with diabetes at high-income levels is better than the gap between these groups across all States with data.
• Unknown/data insufficient means a measure for the State could not be made.

These categories are based on comparisons of the relative rates of HbA1c testing for people with diabetes within the two income groups in each State relative to the all-State rates for those income groups, for the period 2002–2004. Data are from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. For more information, select Methods on the left menu.

The chart below shows the rate at which HbA1c monitoring was done for people who are in low- or high-income groups within the State, the region, and all States.

Percent of People in California With Diabetes Who Had an HbA1c Test, by Income, 2002 to 2004.

The bar chart represents the percent of people with diabetes who had an HbA1c test in the previous 12 months for the period 2002–2004. Data are from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. For more information, select Methods on the left menu.