Peer Support Can Help Latinos with Diabetes

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Many minorities, including Latinos, are disproportionately affected by diabetes. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that almost 13% of all Latinos have the disease compared to just over 9% of the overall U.S. population. Latinos are also more likely to experience complications from the disease and, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health, they have a higher death rate from diabetes, as well.

However, having support from peers can help Latinos cope with and live with the disease. A study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine looked at how well interventions work in the Latino community when a person with diabetes gets support from someone who understands the disease.

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The researchers looked at the blood sugar levels of patients who received peer support and those who had similar care without support. The research found that those with support interventions had “modest improvements” in their blood sugar levels. The greatest improvements were in minorities, especially Latinos.

“Previous research has found that when culturally appropriate health education is provided to people with diabetes who belong to ethnic minority groups, their glycemic control and knowledge of diabetes improves,” said Dr. Sonal Patil, assistant professor of Family and Community Medicine at the MU School of Medicine, in a statement. “Our findings suggest that peer health coaches might provide more culturally appropriate health education in ethnic minority populations, particularly Latino ones.”

The role of peers in a diabetic patient’s lifestyle management has been extensively studied. Family and friends, especially those of Latinos and other minorities, play significant roles in food and other lifestyle choices.