The purpose of the study is to examine the factors that contribute to the disease management of diabetes. It examines the factors that many marginalized groups experience while receiving medical care, which prevents the optimal disease management of diabetes based on personal characteristics, cultural factors, and health care discrimination. This study used a sample size of 1,252 respondents diagnosed with diabetes.

Personal characteristics, cultural variables, and health care variables are significantly associated with the disease management of diabetes. Personal characteristics of older age, being married, White, higher education, higher income, and excellent health manage their diabetes better. Cultural factors like speaking English, speaking English well, and U.S. citizenship lead to better management of diabetes. Health care discrimination variables reveal that respondents who did not feel discriminated against manage their diabetes better. It is important to know these factors to be empathetic and advocate for patient’s rights to health care.