Subjects in this cross-sectional study were 4,718 women aged 18 to 44 years who were at risk for type 2 diabetes due to a history of gestational diabetes mellitus. Racial and ethnic variations in access to healthcare, use of particular healthcare services, presence of cardiovascular risk factors, and perceptions of health and impairment were assessed using a national, population-based, random sample telephone survey. Around 20% of those surveyed had no primary healthcare provider and no health insurance and reported cost barriers to access healthcare. Suboptimal outcomes were reported across racial and ethic groups. The most disadvantaged group were Latin Americans: 40% had no health insurance and no primary care provider, and 25% reported suboptimal perceptions of health. The most advantaged group (in terms of healthcare access, cholesterol and blood pressure elevation, and impaired physical health) were Asians and Pacific Islanders. Healthcare access and other covariates did not fully explain racial and ethnic variations in healthcare use and presence of risk factors.
