Aware of the sharp increase of diabetes in African American communities, Duke University is now seeking participants for a new diabetes study that may help improve the rates of diagnoses.

Duke University is aiming to recruit 300 black residents from local churches for a study on how to reduce complications from diabetes, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. According to the News & Observer, diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in North Carolina. Statewide, 547,000 residents have diabetes -- roughly 8.5% of the population, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.