JoslinÌs African American Services - African Americans and Diabetes

JoslinÌs African American Services
Joslin Diabetes Center

oslin offers culturally appropriate diabetes care and education, research, community outreach and provider education to improve health outcomes for African Americans and their families living with diabetes or those who are at risk for developing the disease.

* Provider Education: Joslin has extensive experience in serving and understanding African Americans affected by diabetes; included in these services are group diabetes education programs.
* Research: A team of investigators conducts research designed to strengthen our knowledge and understanding of the needs, characteristics and challenges of African Americans living with or at risk for diabetes.
* Community Outreach: Community outreach provides a key link between Joslin Clinic providers and their counterparts at the community health centers in and around Boston by providing train-the-trainer opportunities as well as church-based diabetes screening and education.

Why is Culture an Important Part of Healthcare Education?
Culture can affect what symptoms you consider to be a problem and your comfort level with the way healthcare providers communicate with you. Today, diabetes is one of the most serious health challenges in the United States. The following statistics illustrate the magnitude of this disease among African Americans:

* 2.8 million African Americans have diabetes.
* On average, African Americans are twice as likely to have diabetes as Caucasian Americans of similar age.
* Approximately 13 percent of all African Americans have diabetes.
* African Americans with diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes complications and experience greater disability from the complications than Caucasian Americans with diabetes.
* Death rates for people with diabetes are 27 percent higher for African Americans compared with Caucasians.
* The highest incidence of diabetes in African Americans occurs between 65 and 74 years of age. Twenty-five percent of these individuals have diabetes.
* Obesity is a major medical risk factor for diabetes in African Americans, especially for women. Type 2 diabetes may be prevented with weight control through healthy eating and regular exercise.
* People at high risk for type 2 diabetes, including African Americans, can prevent or delay diabetes with modest weight loss and regular physical activity.