Social Determinants of Health in Diabetes Patient Care

Abstract

Diabetic patients must exert continuous self-management in areas such as diet, exercise, and medications to control blood sugar. However, such habits are greatly influenced by lifestyle; socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental conditions; as well as individual will. In vulnerable groups, the prevalence of diabetes is higher than in non-vulnerable groups, and difficulties in diabetes management are more common. Health is impacted by age; gender; genetics; lifestyle; social and community networks; living and working conditions; and socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental conditions. Among these various factors, five ‘social determinants of health’ highly affect the health management of diabetic patients: socioeconomic status, physical environment (housing environment, transportation), food insecurity, family and social support, and health literacy. It is important address these social determinants of health, starting with identification of individualized social needs of patients. Efforts should be made to improve quality of life through use of community resources and to further contribute to alleviating health inequality.