Bibliometric analysis highlights racial diversity of type 2 diabetes research: Global trends from 2010 to 2024

Jiayue Li; Zeping Liu; Jun Liu; Jiayue Li; Zeping Liu; Jun Liu

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2026016

AIMS Public Health

2026, Volume 13, Issue 1: 289-305. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2026016

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Research article

Bibliometric analysis highlights racial diversity of type 2 diabetes research: Global trends from 2010 to 2024

1.
School of Mathematics and Statistics, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
2.
West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
3.
College of Computer Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
4.
Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
These two authors contributed equally.

Received: 16 September 2025 Revised: 28 December 2025 Accepted: 13 January 2026 Published: 05 March 2026

Background
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects millions worldwide with marked racial disparities in prevalence, pathophysiology, and outcomes. Despite growing research, the global landscape and focus on racial diversity in T2D research remain unclear.
Objective
To map and characterize research on T2D and race, with a focus on publication. Research design and methods: We performed a bibliometric analysis of 9087 English-language publications on T2D and 5 mutually exclusive racial populations (American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Indigenous; Asian; Black; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; and White) from 2010 to 2024, retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R software, we analyzed publication trends, country and institutional contributions, key authors, keyword clusters, and citation patterns across the racial populations.
Results
Annual publications and citations increased steadily within 15 years. Research output and influence were most frequently associated with White populations, followed by Asian and Black populations. The United States and China contributed the most publications, while international collaboration remained limited but regionally focused. Keyword analysis revealed race specific research emphases, such as gestational diabetes in Indigenous groups and hypertension in Black populations. Studies on Asian and Black populations tended to receive fewer citations and were published in journals with comparatively lower impact factors than those focusing on White populations.
Conclusions
Our study reveals significant diversities in T2D research coverage and impact across racial groups. Enhanced global collaboration and culturally tailored approaches are essential to address racial disparities and improve T2D prevention and care worldwide.
- bibliometric analysis,
- race,
- type 2 diabetes,
- racial disparities,
- global health
Citation: Jiayue Li, Zeping Liu, Jun Liu. Bibliometric analysis highlights racial diversity of type 2 diabetes research: Global trends from 2010 to 2024[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2026, 13(1): 289-305. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2026016

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Abstract

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects millions worldwide with marked racial disparities in prevalence, pathophysiology, and outcomes. Despite growing research, the global landscape and focus on racial diversity in T2D research remain unclear.

Objective

To map and characterize research on T2D and race, with a focus on publication. Research design and methods: We performed a bibliometric analysis of 9087 English-language publications on T2D and 5 mutually exclusive racial populations (American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Indigenous; Asian; Black; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; and White) from 2010 to 2024, retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R software, we analyzed publication trends, country and institutional contributions, key authors, keyword clusters, and citation patterns across the racial populations.

Results

Annual publications and citations increased steadily within 15 years. Research output and influence were most frequently associated with White populations, followed by Asian and Black populations. The United States and China contributed the most publications, while international collaboration remained limited but regionally focused. Keyword analysis revealed race specific research emphases, such as gestational diabetes in Indigenous groups and hypertension in Black populations. Studies on Asian and Black populations tended to receive fewer citations and were published in journals with comparatively lower impact factors than those focusing on White populations.

Conclusions

Our study reveals significant diversities in T2D research coverage and impact across racial groups. Enhanced global collaboration and culturally tailored approaches are essential to address racial disparities and improve T2D prevention and care worldwide.

Abbreviations

Diabetes mellitus

T2D

Type 2 diabetes

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

WOSCC

Web of Science Core Collection

LLR

Log-likelihood rate

FDR

false discovery rate

NIH

National Institutes of Health

Authors' contributions

J. Li contributed to data collection and analysis, and manuscript writing. Z. L. contributed to data analysis, and manuscript writing and review. J. Liu was responsible for study design and manuscript review, and supervised J. Li and Z. L. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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