### A Simple Way to Address Healthcare Disparities in Type 2 Diabetes Recent research has shown that a simple tape measure, an item you can find at any dollar store, might be more accurate than some lab tests in predicting the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that measuring waist circumference in Black adults is a good indicator of their likelihood of developing diabetes in the future. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician scientist, supports the idea of using a tape measure for screening. She suggests that this method is accessible to people with limited resources and education. Such screenings could be easily conducted at community events to help identify those at risk. The study compared various tests for predicting diabetes, including waist circumference, visceral fat, liver fat, fasting glucose levels, and hemoglobin A1C tests. Waist circumference and visceral fat measured by CT scans were found to be better predictors of diabetes than the hemoglobin A1C test in people with normal blood sugar levels. However, for those with prediabetes, the hemoglobin A1C test was more accurate. CT scans are expensive and expose individuals to radiation, while measuring waist circumference is simple and free. Dr. Joshua J. Joseph, the study's lead author, encourages primary care physicians to measure waist circumference during annual checkups and suggest lifestyle changes if needed. Black Americans are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and experience severe complications compared to white Americans. Therefore, using cost-effective and accessible tests like waist circumference measurement can help identify health risks and improve healthcare disparities. For accurate measurement, it's important to measure the waist at the belly button. A waist circumference of 35 inches or more for women and 40 inches or more for men is associated with a higher risk of diabetes.