Social Needs and Type 2 Diabetes in Latinos: An Integrative Review

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) disparities in Latinos in the United States continue to rise despite ongoing efforts to advance health equity. Major drivers of T2D disparities are shaped by the social determinants of health which create unmet social needs such as unstable housing, unreliable transportation, food insecurity, financial need, and insufficient childcare. Latino communities are disproportionately affected by many social determinants of health and thus report disproportionately greater social needs than their Non-Hispanic White counterparts. As T2D prevalence, incidence, and associated complications in Latinos outpace those of Non-Latino Whites, an understanding of the potential influence of social needs on T2D prevention and management in this population is warranted. This integrative review describes the role of social needs in T2D prevention and management among Latinos. This review informs how certain social needs are associated with increased risk for T2D, prediabetes, and poor T2D self-management. Specific social needs interventions had mixed results in affecting T2D outcomes and social needs. There is a lack of research evaluating interventions with comprehensive social needs screen and referral for Latinos with or at risk for T2D across the lifespan.