Diabetes in Children and Youth

Diabetes in children and youth
There is no secret that we are in an era of alarming chronic health problems affecting people. More specific is the epidemic we see increasing among children and youth under 20 years of age.

Many studies consistently report the emergency for primary care providers to council parents and youth about healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, and getting educated about diabetes. As et an article published by Hoffington Post, there are about 24 million people diagnosed with diabetes and 75 million as pre-diabetic. Another alarming statistic is that diabetes type 1 and type 2 is alarmingly increasing on the Hispanic community and little progress on education and prevention has been accomplished. But when it comes to the Hispanic community, how can we tackle this problem? It is important to go back to the beginning, mother's TLC (tender loving care) impacts the Hispanic children way of seeing and appreciating food.

Latin cousine is not just food for Hispanics, it is a way of a life style, it involves customs, traditions, flavors, portions, finishing everything served on the plate as a sign of satisfaction and politeness.

So how can we merge science and cultural practices? How can we better understand Hispanic's diet based on cultural costumes and traditions? These are critical questions and we better come up with some solutions to it. The future of out next health generation depends on that.

Our health practice (healthcare system) needs to change to a proactive approach.

We cannot continue being reactive to problems Health. Preventive and proactive steps need to happen in pediatric care. Children an family should receive ongoing healthy eating education as well learn about potential chronic diseases associated with obesity and diabetes. We need to create and sustain partnerships with parents and other primary care providers to build a culture around healthy living, good eating habits, and active Healthcare participation.

Patient-Centered Medical Home Responsibilities

When it comes to practices trying to implement PCMH in a cultural and linguistic appropriate context, there are many ways that practices can be successful at doing so. However, it is important to always keep two groups in mind, obviously the patients and their families, but also the providers. Sometimes practices are so busy trying to develop policies and procedures, that unintentionally, they forget to keep their providers and staff up to date on what new changes are taking place at the practice. Providers, staff, patients, and families should be getting the same information on what new changes are taking place. Remember, the more direct simple information is given, the faster and better will be assimilated by the audience. PCMH Responsibilities, is making sure your information and changes are easily understood.

How can cultural brokers help?

I wanted to share with our readers a piece of an article that was published by the National Center for Cultural Competence in the Fall 2011.

How can cultural brokers help?
Helen Dao shared the following:

"One of the providers serving a child with severe epilepsy and her family expressed frustration that the family had not followed up on scheduled appointments and evaluations recommended by the care team. When working with the family, Ms. Dao learned that they were concerned about out- of-home care and that the appointments were all associated with residential placement. It was simply unacceptable, not at all in keeping with the family’s values, to have a member cared for outside the family circle in a nursing home or other facility. The family chose not to inform the provider of their belief system because they did not want to be disrespectful. Ms. Dao was instrumental in this situation because she was able to bridge the gap between both the provider and the family through 1) clarifying the reasons why the appointments were needed and missed; 2) setting an example of how patients and providers can have a dialogue to discover their respective beliefs and practices that are immersed in culture; 3) identifying cultural beliefs and practices about respecting professionals who are in positions of authority; and 4) mediating a compromise between the family’s values and practices vs. recommendations of the medical community." 

Source: NATIONAL CENTER FOR CULTURAL COMPETENCE, GUCCHD • FALL 2011


This is just one example of how a cultural broker can be instrumental in bridging the gap of communication between providers and families.  On a daily basis, health care professionals, care coordinators, patient navigators, family members, front desk staff, social workers serve the role of cultural brokers without knowing that they are.  The healthcare field should be paying more attention to this role because patients/families tend to be more confortable around someone who speaks their language, understands their culture and values, and will respond more positively to treatment.


About the Author:
Helen Dao, MHA
Dao Management Consulting Services, Inc.
A Health Care Company Connecting Providers & Communities
www.daoconsultingservices.com
Tel. 201-448-2046

 

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Presidential Proclamation -- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2013 | The White House