A study led by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has found significant gaps in the provision of preventive healthcare for women with diabetes. The research, published in the journal Diabetes Care on April 3, 2026, indicates that these women are less likely to receive essential services such as preconception counseling and certain cancer screenings compared to women without diabetes.
The analysis examined health records and survey data from a national sample. It revealed that physicians were 30% less likely to provide preconception counseling to women with diabetes. Furthermore, screenings for breast and cervical cancer were also delivered at lower rates for this patient group, despite their increased risk for certain health complications.
"These gaps represent a missed opportunity to improve health outcomes," said Dr. O. Kenrik Duru, the study's lead author and a professor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. The researchers suggest that the complexity of managing diabetes may sometimes overshadow other crucial aspects of preventive care during clinical visits.
The study's authors call for more integrated care models that address the full spectrum of health needs for women living with diabetes, emphasizing the importance of routine preventive services alongside chronic disease management.
