Social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly influence diabetes risk and outcomes, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities and low-income populations in the U.S. SDOH, including socioeconomic status (SES), neighborhood environment, housing, built environment, toxic environmental exposures, and food environment, are critical factors in diabetes prevalence, complications, and mortality. Research shows that lower SES is associated with higher diabetes risk, with individuals at the lowest SES levels more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (T2DM), experience complications, and die earlier. SES is linked to access to health care, housing, transportation, and nutritious food, as well as social resources. Studies indicate that higher income, education, and occupational status are associated with lower diabetes risk and better outcomes. Neighborhood and physical environment factors, such as housing instability, built environment walkability, and access to greenspace, also impact diabetes outcomes. Housing instability is associated with higher diabetes prevalence and worse control of chronic conditions. The built environment, particularly walkability and access to greenspace, is linked to lower T2DM risk and better outcomes. Toxic environmental exposures, such as air pollution and arsenic, are disproportionately experienced by marginalized communities and increase diabetes risk. The food environment, including access to healthy foods, affordability, and availability, plays a critical role in diabetes outcomes. Food insecurity is prevalent among diabetes patients and is associated with poor diabetes management, higher HbA1c levels, and increased risk of complications. Interventions targeting food insecurity, such as food banks and pantry programs, have shown some improvements in diabetes outcomes. Supermarket availability and access to healthy foods are also linked to better diabetes outcomes. Interventions targeting SDOH, such as improving housing stability, increasing access to healthy foods, and reducing environmental exposures, are essential for achieving health equity in diabetes care. Policy and regulatory actions are needed to address systemic inequities and improve diabetes outcomes for marginalized populations.Social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly influence diabetes risk and outcomes, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities and low-income populations in the U.S. SDOH, including socioeconomic status (SES), neighborhood environment, housing, built environment, toxic environmental exposures, and food environment, are critical factors in diabetes prevalence, complications, and mortality. Research shows that lower SES is associated with higher diabetes risk, with individuals at the lowest SES levels more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (T2DM), experience complications, and die earlier. SES is linked to access to health care, housing, transportation, and nutritious food, as well as social resources. Studies indicate that higher income, education, and occupational status are associated with lower diabetes risk and better outcomes. Neighborhood and physical environment factors, such as housing instability, built environment walkability, and access to greenspace, also impact diabetes outcomes. Housing instability is associated with higher diabetes prevalence and worse control of chronic conditions. The built environment, particularly walkability and access to greenspace, is linked to lower T2DM risk and better outcomes. Toxic environmental exposures, such as air pollution and arsenic, are disproportionately experienced by marginalized communities and increase diabetes risk. The food environment, including access to healthy foods, affordability, and availability, plays a critical role in diabetes outcomes. Food insecurity is prevalent among diabetes patients and is associated with poor diabetes management, higher HbA1c levels, and increased risk of complications. Interventions targeting food insecurity, such as food banks and pantry programs, have shown some improvements in diabetes outcomes. Supermarket availability and access to healthy foods are also linked to better diabetes outcomes. Interventions targeting SDOH, such as improving housing stability, increasing access to healthy foods, and reducing environmental exposures, are essential for achieving health equity in diabetes care. Policy and regulatory actions are needed to address systemic inequities and improve diabetes outcomes for marginalized populations.