Social and Structural Determinants of Lower Extremity Amputations in Diabetes

Structural determinants such as healthcare policies and economic systems intersect with social factors, including access to care, racial disparities, and socioeconomic status, influencing amputation risk. Black patients with diabetes face up to a fourfold increased risk of major amputation compared to non-Hispanic white patients. Lower socioeconomic status is also strongly linked to higher amputation rates. Geographic and environmental factors, like food deserts and limited access to specialized