By Emma DeGroot, ’26, Lawrence University
- Guest: Patricia Tellez-Giron, MD, Co-Chair, Latino Health Council
In this podcast episode, Emma DeGroot unpacks the health disparities within the Hispanic community related to diabetes, and how physicians and community health workers are using community strengths to address these barriers.
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting the Hispanic community
in the United States. Further, they are more likely to experience serious complications from diabetes, compared to other US adults, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and liver disease.
Why is that?
In an interview with Dr. Patricia Tellez-Giron, a physician and Associate Professor in Family Medicine and Community Health at the Universities of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and the Co-Chair of the Latino Health Council, a community-based organization advancing Latino health in Dane County, WI, Emma probes beyond individual behavior choices to uncover the broader social and structural factors linked to diabetes disparities, including policies, cultural beliefs, family dynamics and community networks.
This podcast also highlights the cultural wealth and strengths within the Hispanic community and how the Latino Health Council works in Dane County to support healing and restoration.
Listen to the podcast below
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). National diabetes statistics report: Estimates of diabetes and its burden in the United States. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Adult obesity facts. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
- Deverts, D. J., et al. (2021). Patient and family engagement in culturally tailored diabetes self-management education in a Hispanic community.The Diabetes Educator, 47(2), 157–167. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145721721993773
- Kaiser Family Foundation. (2023). Health coverage of Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States.https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy
- Latino USA. (2023). Crossing the border for more affordable insulin. Futuro Media Group. https://ww.latinousa.org
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2023). Diabetes in Hispanic/Latino Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/risk-factors/hispanic-latino-americans
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health.(2023).Diabetes and Hispanic Americans.https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2023). Diabetes in Wisconsin: Data and disparities.https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov
About the Author:
Emma Degroot is a senior at Lawrence University looking to go into the field of Public
Health. She is interested in women’s health, maternal health equity and improving acess
to healthcare in underserved communities. Through her academic work, she aims to
better understand how healthcare systems, policy, and biological research intersect to
influence maternal and infant health outcomes.
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