In the United States, Hispanic adults have a 50% chance of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. They are also more likely to:
- Develop type 2 diabetes earlier in life
- Have more serious side effects than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States
- Face barriers to care that affect their health and well-being
Anyone diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should have access to the best medical care possible. To keep diabetes under control, it’s important for people to follow their treatment plans. But it’s just as vital for the medical community to do all it can to break down barriers to care for their most vulnerable patients.
What Is Cultural Competence?
Cultural competence refers to the ability to interact with people of various races, ethnicities, and cultures in a respectful way. For doctors, this means not taking a one-size-fits-all approach to medical care. A culturally competent doctor who is trying to connect with Spanish-speaking patients:
- Hires Spanish-speaking staff
- Has bilingual medical interpreters on hand
- Provides medical information in Spanish
Doctors don’t need to speak Spanish to be culturally competent. But it’s good for them to understand and appreciate how diverse the Hispanic community is.
Culturally competent doctors take the time to get to know each person. They don’t make assumptions about anyone. They also adapt certain aspects of care to their patients’ needs. For example, if patients work long hours, doctors can offer virtual appointments whenever it makes sense. Virtual appointments can make a huge difference to someone who can’t miss work and stop them from putting their health on the back burner.
Clinical Trials and Lack of Diversity
It makes sense to include Hispanic people in clinical trials about type 2 diabetes. But it’s also necessary for researchers to have culturally competent mindsets.
A number of research studies showed that exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes who are considered obese. Yet these trials recommended costly solutions that aren’t realistic for people with low incomes.
In another clinical trial, a group of researchers developed a plan for Hispanic women that was carried out in a medical center. The researchers were able to show that it’s possible to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes with the collaboration of a clinic or medical center. But researchers need to better understand the barriers that might keep a program from succeeding.
Preparing Educational Information in Spanish
One of the most effective ways to manage type 2 diabetes is to learn as much as possible about it. Yet it’s pretty difficult for people who speak little to no English if there is no information available in Spanish.
Diabetes education information prepared specifically for Spanish-speaking people should take into account language and culture. For example, a diabetes treatment plan created for a Hispanic person with a low income might make exercise recommendations that don’t require expensive gym memberships.
Diet
A culturally competent doctor understands that when Hispanic people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it doesn’t mean they have to give up eating their favorite foods and traditional dishes.
You can:
- Eat smaller amounts.
- Keep track of the carbohydrates you have.
- Make substitutions. Instead of eating rice and potatoes, you can have rice with green vegetables.
Health centers:
- Offer healthier versions of traditional dishes.
- Suggest in-person or online cooking classes for people with type 2 diabetes.
Support From Loved Ones
If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it’s natural to feel anxious about all the changes you have to make. It helps to have your family by your side, supporting and helping you. It’s important for you to be honest with them and explain:
- What it means to have type 2 diabetes
- What you need to do to keep your blood sugar levels healthy
- All the complications you might be at risk for if you don’t take good care of yourself
Several clinical trials have shown that treatment is more successful for Hispanic people when they take family members to medical appointments.
Another benefit of letting your family participate in your diabetes treatment plan is that they can make changes in their lives and possibly reduce their risk for the disease. For example, they might make healthy changes to their diet, whether it’s preparing meals with less fat, eating less, or avoiding sugary drinks.
And at parties, where there is a lot of food within reach, you can ask family and friends to keep an eye on you so you’re not tempted to overeat.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: DigitalVision/Getty Images
SOURCES:
CDC: “Hispanics or Latinos in the United States and Type 2 Diabetes,” “Education and Advocacy.”
The diaTribe Foundation: “Why are Hispanics at higher risk for type 2 diabetes?”
Endocrine Society: “Diabetes Complications.”
Frontiers in Endocrinology: “Lessons Learned from a Program to Reduce Diabetes Risk Among Low-Income Hispanic Women in a Community Health Clinic,” “The ‘A to Z’ of Managing Type 2 Diabetes in Culturally Diverse Populations.”
Georgetown University Child Development Center: “Toward Culturally Competent System of Care: A Monograph of Effective Services for Minority Children Who are Severely Emotionally Disturbed.”
Georgetown University Health Policy Institute: “Cultural Competence in Health Care: Is it important for people with chronic conditions?”
Joslin Diabetes Center: “Latinx Diabetes Initiative.”
National Diabetes Education Program: “Diabetes and Nutrition in the Latino Community: The role that nutrition plays in managing and preventing diabetes.”
National Library of Medicine: “Caring for Latino patients.”
Oregon State University: “Culturally adapted materials boost Latino participation in diabetes education programs.”
UNC University Libraries: “Health of Latino, Latina, Latinx Individuals: Cultural Humility and Cultural Competence in Patient Care.”
