Educating a BIPOC patient navigating their chronic condition.
Educating a BIPOC patient navigating their chronic condition.
After receiving the news that she has diabetes, Marisol turns to her doctor for help on her new eating regimen.
How have you been managing with your new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes?
I feel like I am unable to eat anything! I’m from a Caribbean household, so this is very frustrating…I don’t know what to do and the holidays are coming up.
I know that sharing meals with family means a lot to you and with this recent diagnosis, it’s also important to continue to make some lifestyle changes. During gatherings, you can take the opportunity to share and educate your lifestyle changes with family members. It’s natural to feel that having diabetes means giving up on everything you used to eat before the diagnosis. However, basic changes like vegetable intake and portion control will help you manage your diabetes while giving you the freedom to eat some of your favorite Caribbean food.
Yeah, I’d love to get them involved! It would also be cool to continue cooking some of my family recipes while adding more fiber, lean proteins, and vegetables into my meals.
This is a good start! Being healthy can be adapted in your home, family gatherings, community, and culture.
Things to consider.
Socioeconomic factors, lifestyle behaviors, social environment, and access to clinical preventative services contribute to the racial/ethnic health disparities that may lead to chronic conditions in the BIPOC community.
In addition to high rates of chronic illnesses, the BIPOC community face cultural norms, stigma, lower wages, and insufficient insurance coverage which limits their access to treatment often forcing them to work while ill.
How would you educate and encourage your BIPOC patients to make realistic healthier lifestyle choices?
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