The nerves in our hands and feet allow us to sense touch, pressure, temperature, vibration and pain. If anything interferes with nerve function, we can have trouble with daily tasks like holding objects and even walking.

Some people are at higher risk for nerve damage in their extremities. Why? New research from Michigan State University reveals that race/ethnicity and food insecurity are two key factors associated with peripheral neuropathy.

“Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage typically located in the hands and feet,” said Evan Reynolds, assistant professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the MSU College of Human Medicine. “It’s a loss of nerve function that causes substantial morbidity and decreases quality of life.

“Two of the most common ways this can affect people are debilitating pain and increased risk of falls. Our quantitative study found that Hispanic people have 32% greater odds of neuropathy compared to white people, even after accounting for other common risk factors such as diabetes severity and obesity. In contrast, non-Hispanic Black people did not have an increased odds of neuropathy compared to white people, after accounting for the presence of known risk factors.”