Comparing Patient Perspectives on Diabetes Management to the Deficit-Based Literature in an Ethnic Minority...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Health Disparities Research

Background:

• Marginalized racial/ethnic minorities experience disproportionately high type 2 diabetes rates.
• Existing research often employs a deficit-based discourse, focusing on individual or cultural failings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the deficit discourse with the perspectives of Arab adults with diabetes in Israel.
• To examine how socioeconomic and cultural factors influence diabetes management.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach triangulating data from 10 focus groups and 296 surveys.
• Multivariable regression models analyzed associations between management perspectives and participant characteristics.

Main Results:

• Participants viewed diabetes as a serious chronic condition, not a result of fatalism.
• Support for patient responsibility in management increased with education and self-care training.
• Socioeconomic barriers (reported by 35%) and cultural norms significantly impacted lifestyle behaviors.

Conclusions:

• The deficit discourse misrepresents Arab patients' views and needs.
• Focusing on socioeconomic determinants and culturally relevant healthcare services is essential.
• Healthcare systems must address structural barriers to improve diabetes care for minority populations.