AACE Develops Diabetes Care Model for Patients Across a Spectrum of Ethnicities and Minorities
05-23-2019

Working with health care professionals and leaders across the country, the new position statement improves patient care

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. May 23, 2019 – The American Association of Endocrinologists (AACE), a professional community of physicians specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, developed a transculturalized diabetes chronic care model adapted for patients across a spectrum of ethnicities and minorities.

AACE conducted several transcultural activities on global issues in clinical endocrinology as well as led a three-city series of conferences in New York, Houston and Miami in December 2017 that focused on diabetes care for ethnic minorities in the United States. Four specific U.S. ethnicities were studied: African Americans, Latino/Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Native Americans.

“Information from these meetings looked at biological and environmental diabetes risks,” said position statement lead author, Jeffrey I. Mechanick, MD, FACN, FACP, MACE, ECNU. “Working with community leaders, practicing health care professionals, and additional stakeholders in diabetes care is analyzed according to biological and environmental factors.

A core set of recommendations to culturally adapt diabetes care is presented including, but not limited to, using culturally appropriate terminology, culturally adapting clinic infrastructure, flexible office hours, and culturally competent nutritional messaging and health literacy.

“It is hoped that through better education, research, and practice, diabetes care can be improved for the entire United States population,” said AACE President Sandra L. Weber, MD, FACP, FACE. “Ultimately, this means that important differences among patients’ ethnic and cultural backgrounds are addressed.”

For more information on AACE, click here.

For position statement author interview opportunities, contact Ashley La Fleur [email protected]

 

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