Chronic metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity are major public health issues in the United States . However, significant disparities in their prevalence and incidence place a greater burden on US racial and ethnic minority groups, contributing to worse COVID-19 outcomes in many . Improving treatment and prevention of diabetes and obesity is critical to the NIDDK . In this Perspective, we will review the burden of metabolic diseases in the United States, the observed disparities for metabolic diseases in relation to COVID-19, and research opportunities to address underlying causes of metabolic diseases, their associated health disparities, and COVID-19.