Diabetes and minority populations. Focus on Mexican Americans

Hispanic American people in the United States represent a diverse group by origin, with Mexican Americans comprising the largest and fastest growing segment of this minority population. Whereas few studies have been undertaken to explore diabetes in other Hispanic American groups, several population-based studies have yielded outcomes reflecting significant prevalence and incidence of type II NIDDM among Mexican American people. These rates underscore the need for increasing attention toward understanding dimensions of the population that may effect positive health outcomes. Such is the role of cultural nursing as it relates to diabetes care and education of this population. Cultural nursing embodies a holistic approach to care with focus on assessment of cultural dimensions and attributes as they pertain to the individual with diabetes. Although cultural attributes may vary by ethnic origin, person, and region of the country, the diabetes nurse educators' appreciation of the cultural domain of Hispanicism best provides the patient with the opportunity to effect enactment of necessary diabetes self-care behaviors.