Black Americans face disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and kidney disease. In 2022, Black Americans died from diabetes 78 percent more often than the U.S. population overall. Yet conversations about treatment often focus on single solutions rather than the full picture of health. 

As medications like Ozempic gain popularity for managing weight and blood sugar, experts stress that long-term health depends not only on medication but also on how well individuals respond to their body’s signals. Social media has highlighted concerns about so-called ‘Ozempic teeth.’ While these medications are not proven to cause tooth loss, diabetes itself can contribute to oral health issues if not managed.  

People with diabetes are up to four times more likely to develop gum disease than those without, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. Chronically elevated glucose levels feed harmful oral bacteria, weaken gum tissue, and slow healing, which can lead to serious complications over time. 

As a medical professional living with type-1 diabetes, Dr. Thomas Grace, MD, Head of Advocacy and Clinical Outcomes at Dexcom, stresses the need for people with diabetes to get a fuller picture of their glucose levels rather than relying solely on “occasional finger pricks and periodic A1C tests,” which many feel are their only options. 

“Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is a game-changer for people living with diabetes because having access to real-time data is proven to improve health outcomes, like lower A1C and improved time in range,” he says. “Studies show that people using CGM to manage their diabetes are less likely to experience adverse health complications, including chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.” 

Dexcom developed glucose biosensing technology, including Dexcom G7 15 Day and Stelo, to help people monitor their glucose levels in real time, including the percentage of time their levels stay within the optimal target range (e.g., 70-180 mg/dl for people with diabetes and 70-140 mg/dl for those without diabetes) – also known as “time-in-range.” 

Dexcom has partnered with the African American Male Wellness Agency (AAMWA), a national organization focused on improving the life expectancy of Black men and their families, to support AAMWA’s U Got This! initiative, a community-based program offering personalized wellness coaching, access to continuous glucose monitoring, and peer support.  

“For too long, access to advanced health tools hasn’t reached the communities that need them most,” said Kenny Hampton, president of AAMWA. “This partnership represents a national response to that gap, making sure Black men, and their families, across the country have access to the information, technology, and support they need to take control of their health.” 

U Got This! is offered to those whose income level makes them Medicare eligible, helping people build the sustainable habits necessary to live with diabetes.  

Through AAMWA’s Black Men’s Wellness Day, a large-scale health and wellness event held in 20 cities nationwide under the banner “Get Checked Out, Not Checked In,” Dexcom reaches communities disproportionately affected by diabetes. 

“Diabetes is something we can live with, not something to be afraid of,” said Dr. Grace. “It’s very normal to feel overwhelmed, but now we have access to incredible tools and technology.”