Issue 131 Item 15 Diabetes Among Latinos A Growing Problem

Experts say the growing problem of diabetes among Latinos won’t be solved until there’s better access to health care. Arcadio Viveros, chief executive officer of the Salud Para La Gente health clinic in Watsonville, Calif., says the incidence of Latino diabetes has reached frightening numbers and is getting worse.

"It is pandemic," Viveros said. "The number of Latinos that are being diagnosed with the disease are continuing to increase." Viveros said researchers are linking the higher rate of diabetes in Latinos with a combination of a high-fat diet and genetics.

Because of a pervasive fear of the disease, many Latinos avoid going to the doctor, Viveros said. Others try to cure their diabetes by eating cactus plants or other home remedies.

But medical supervision is the only way to effectively manage diabetes and to keep patients from developing serious complications, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease and blindness.

Lack of testing among Latinos is higher than the rest of the population, experts say.

It’s a struggle for people with low-wage jobs to take time off work to get tested. For those without health insurance, the long lines in health clinics equal time away from work and a slash in pay. But the costs of emergency medical care can be devastating for a low-income family.

" Margolis said her coalition would like to educate young students in schools about diet and healthy lifestyle, but so far doesn’t have money to fund such a program. The group is looking to partner with other organizations to find the money.

"Diabetes is probably one of the biggest diseases that we’re going to have to face in next 10 to 20 years," Solorio said. She said doctors are trying to find the best ways to help Latinos become aware of the dangers of the disease.

Ann Albright, a doctor with the California Diabetes Control Program, said programs that educate the Latino community about diabetes are severely under-funded.

"The populations most heavily impacted by diabetes are growing in number," Albright said. "That’s an outcome of more sedentary lifestyles and eating choices that aren’t the healthiest."