What Most Women With Diabetes Never Get Told7 min read

The Endocrinologist as De Facto Primary Care

Part of the care gap may stem from how many women with diabetes structure their medical care. In practice, endocrinologists — specialists in hormone-related conditions including diabetes — sometimes function as a patient’s primary point of contact with the healthcare system. But endocrinology visits are designed around blood sugar management, medication, and diabetes-related conditions. As Tan explained, most endocrinology practices are not set up to routinely provide contraception counseling or age-appropriate cancer screenings. This creates a situation where a patient believes their medical needs are being addressed through regular specialist visits, while an entire category of preventive care is quietly being skipped.

Disparities by Income, Age, and Race

The research also touches on who is most affected by these gaps. Groups at higher risk for developing diabetes — including younger adults, people with lower incomes, and many racial and ethnic minority populations — may also face additional barriers to accessing routine preventive services. This layering of disadvantage means the care gaps identified in the study are not evenly distributed. Women who already face systemic barriers to healthcare are more likely to be both at risk for diabetes and less likely to receive the full spectrum of care. The study’s authors note this intersection as an area requiring further attention from researchers and healthcare providers alike.