Renal health disparities in the United Kingdom: a focus on ethnicity

Abstract

The increased rate of type 2 diabetes among minority ethnic groups compared with Caucasians in the United Kingdom has been well documented. Diabetes complications, such as end-stage renal failure, are much more prevalent among the South Asian and African-Caribbean population in the United Kingdom. Inequalities do currently exist in diabetes and renal services and the solutions to rectifying this situation are complex, focusing both on disease prevention and disease management. However, the financial and human burden of not addressing these inequalities encourage some immediate action.