(Podcast) Diabetes, Hmong Communities and the US Healthcare Systems

By Riya Jehangir Stebleton ’28, Lawrence University

• Guest: Yingyakia Vang, Hmong Lead Community Health Worker, Hispanic and Hmong Communication Network

In this podcast, Riya Stebleton explores the narratives of Hmong communities and their
interactions with United States health care systems, specifically when managing diabetes.

Hmong adults in the U.S. have a significantly higher risk of Type 2 diabetes.
But why is this? What are the social determinants that have shaped this disparity? And
equally as important – what assets do the Hmong community have that embody health
resilience and healing?

Listen for the answer to these questions and more as Riya talks with Yingyakia Vang, the lead Hmong Community Health Worker in the Hispanic and Hmong Communication Network (H2N) project, an iniative working to improve health outcomes amongst the Hmong and Hispanic community in Central Wisconsin.

References

• Lao, L., Jr, M. C., Stewart, S. L., & Fang, D. M. (2021). Barriers to Diabetes Management Among Hmong: Patients’ and Physicians’ Perspectives. Hmong Studies Journal, 23(1), 1–23. https://doaj.org/article/349f9ae27f7a4db0af26ae2d3ee7068f
• ‌Interview with Yingyakia Vang, Hmong Lead Community Health Worker, Hispanic and Hmong Communication Network

About the Author:

Riya Jehangir Stebleton is a sophomore at Lawrence University pursuing a major in environmental studies and a minor in health and society. Her main areas of interest lie in environmental justice and ecological resilience.