Living with Diabetes in a Historically Black Community: Insights from Residents

J.E. Sumerau,Amy Donley

doi:10.17125/plaid.2019.113

Abstract

Objective : This research report shares insights gained from residents in a historically black community in Florida concerning their experiences living with diabetes. Methods : The findings in this research report draw from three focus groups undertaken to gather patient perspectives on potential causes and mechanisms related to a community setting with higher than national average levels of diabetes (both in relation to the broader population and Black Americans specifically) as part of an applied project geared toward establishing potential interventions that could benefit the community. Results : Participants in the focus groups discussed (1) positive efforts to improve diet; (2) less successful efforts to increase exercise levels, and (3) marked differences in experiences with medical professionals and access to quality medical care. Conclusions : These findings illustrate difficulties patients experience seeking to manage diabetes in relation to structural (i.e., racial, healthcare access, and economic) and interpersonal (i.e., medical professionals) barriers to quality care.

Highlights

Studies exploring the experiences of people living with diabetes [1] and the social factors that influence access to and outcomes related to chronic health conditions [2] have begun to gain prominence in medical and social scientific domains
Medical and social researchers have emphasized the importance of both communicating with specific communities when seeking to understand health outcomes and management [9] and reporting the insights of said communities within the pursuit of better healthcare outcomes, access options, and management strategies [10]. We build on these discussions by reporting insights from people living with diabetes in a historically Black neighborhood concerning the management of diabetes and their experiences with medical professionals
We focus on this community due to its demonstration of a concrete, social context wherein residents experience higher levels of diabetes and prediabetes than national averages for both Black Americans and the broader American population

Summary

Introduction

Studies exploring the experiences of people living with diabetes [1] and the social factors that influence access to and outcomes related to chronic health conditions [2] have begun to gain prominence in medical and social scientific domains. We build on these discussions by reporting insights from people living with diabetes in a historically Black neighborhood concerning the management of diabetes and their experiences with medical professionals We focus on this community due to its demonstration of a concrete, social context wherein residents experience higher levels of diabetes and prediabetes than national averages for both Black Americans and the broader American population. This report sheds light on insights from participants living with diabetes and experiencing encounters with medical professionals that may be utilized to guide further neighborhood studies and speak to interventions in communities with lesser structural resources and higher levels of diabetes

Methods

Results

Conclusion