Introduction
Diabetes among African Americans is a frequently discussed topic in the fields of health care and nursing. Despite the intentions to prevent and control this disease, genetic and ethnic factors cannot be ignored, influencing more than 12% of the black population in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). In their study, Purcell and Cutchen (2013) indicated three types of interventions to assess the needs of African Americans for managing diabetes, including the role of a person, family, and support groups or neighborhoods. In this part of the project, attention will be paid to the relationships and expectations of diabetic African Americans, addressing the PEN-3 model’s three factors.
Person
Considering the factor of a person, relationships and expectations are connected with the necessity to enhance patients’ awareness about the disease and get them prepared for changes in health. As an example, hypoglycemia is one of the serious complications of diabetes in African Americans that may triple the mortality risks, increase emotional challenges, and lower the quality of life (Karter et al., 2017). A patient has to understand that this, as well as other diabetes-related problems, may change the life of a person in a variety of ways. Therefore, it is necessary not just to expect that the relationships with a healthcare expert can help but to focus on self-education, time management, and monitoring of vital signs.
Extended Family
The role of an extended family is another factor that determines the establishment of relationships and expectations in a diabetes treatment plan. African Americans introduce a group of people where family relationships are highly appreciated. Therefore, the possibility to invite family members to prevent and control diabetes should not be neglected. Such a decision turns out to be a good chance to use some cues to action, provoke assistance, share knowledge, and encourage reinforcement (Routh, Hurt, Winham, & Lanningham-Foster, 2017). For example, it is expected that African Americans find support and understanding within their families and decrease the level of anxiety and despair. Trusted relationships and the exchange of emotions are the necessary factors in taking care of diabetic patients and promoting a safe life.
Neighborhood
When people are diagnosed with diabetes, they try to find as many sources of help and education as possible. The factor of neighborhood or community plays an important role because it is usually a free source of additional information and external support. Community-based interventions for diabetic patients may include mobile device software, new delivery methods, or nutritionist training courses and promote a positive impact on glycemic control (Smalls, Walker, Bonilha, Campbell, & Egede, 2015). For example, common spiritual needs, traditions, and beliefs facilitate the process of diabetes treatment, and African Americans expect to manage their disease, relying on their cultural background.
Conclusion
There is no particular form of the best treatment for diabetes. African Americans have to define and analyze their opportunities, choose the most appropriate resources, and cooperate with the necessary people. It is wrong to define diabetes as a disease with certain complications and drugs. Diabetes is a health problem that changes the life of a person for good. Expectations and relationships of African Americans in their intentions to control diabetes have to be related not only to their personal readiness and knowledge but to their families and neighborhoods that can support and understand.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). National diabetes statistics report, 2017. Web.
Karter, A. J., Lipska, K. J., O’Connor, P. J., Liu, J. Y., Moffet, H. H., Schroeder, E. B., … Steiner, J. F. (2017). High rates of severe hypoglycemia among African American patients with diabetes: The surveillance, prevention, and management of diabetes mellitus (SUPREME-DM) network. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 31(5), 869–873. Web.
Purcell, N., & Cutchen, L. (2013). Diabetes self-management education for African Americans: Using the PEN-3 model to assess needs. American Journal of Health Education, 44(4), 203-212.
Routh, B., Hurt, T., Winham, D., & Lanningham-Foster, L. (2017). Family legacy of diabetes-related behaviors: An exploration of the experiences of African American parents and adult children. Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 6. Web.
Smalls, B. L., Walker, R. J., Bonilha, H. S., Campbell, J. A., & Egede, L. E. (2015). Community interventions to improve glycemic control in African Americans with type 2 diabetes: A systemic review. Global Journal of Health Science, 7(5), 171-182. Web.