Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 is on the rise in the United States, with a new case diagnosed every 30 seconds (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 2015). Diabetes is similarly on the rise in Africa, with an estimated 8 million cases to be diagnosed by 2025 (Mbanya,2006, p. 1628-1629). The standard of care for a diabetes patient is the same however, regardless of the continent. However due to the economic restraints of Africa, the standard of care is not feasible for most and the patient therefore suffers. This paper will demonstrate the similarities and differences between the United States and Africa in regards to type 2 diabetes. Similarly in both countries, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is on the rise. While a difference between the …show more content…
In the United States insulin is readily available for a patient to use with a prescription from their physician. The Physician determines the best insulin therapy for the patient and the physician then monitors the patient’s blood sugar levels to see if the insulin therapy is working correctly (Mayo Clinic, 2015). Patients and physicians can use a glucometer to check the patient’s blood glucose levels. These machines are readily available to the public and there is also assistance from the government if a patient cannot afford the machine themselves (Food and Drug Administration, 2015). Monitoring blood glucose with a glucometer and controlling it with insulin are effective ways to control a patient’s blood glucose. However this basic medical fact is not readily available in Africa, due to its economic status.
Africa’s economic status is the most influential reason as to why diabetes care is so much different than it is here in the United States. In Africa, the average yearly income per individual is about equal to $300 dollars here in the United States. The care of someone with diabetes can cost $150-$200 a year, with insulin making up $75-$100 dollars of this amount (Beren, 2006, p. 1689-1695). It is evident that the majority of individuals or families cannot afford the care that goes along with a diabetes diagnoses. Insulin, even if someone would be able to afford it, is usually not even available to those that need it. Out of the 25 countries in Africa
Diabetes has recently become a focal point of health care systems around the world due to its high prevalence and the severity of secondary complications caused by the disease. Over the course of my project on diabetes, I have had the opportunity to speak with a group of diabetics to understand from a patient’s perspective how diabetes is managed in a rural community. While I found that while some patients ignored treatment and refused to make any dietary changes, the majority of the patients I interviewed were well-informed and actively managing diabetes in their everyday life.
Diabetes refers to a set of several different diseases. It is a serious health problem throughout the world and fourth leading cause of death by disease in the country. All types of diabetes result in too much sugar, or glucos in the blood. To understand why this happens it would helpful if we understand how the body usually works. When we eat, our body breaks down the food into simpler forms such as glucose. The glucose goes into the bloodstream, where it then travels to all the cells in your body. The cells use the glucose for energy. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps move the glucose from bloodstream to the cells. The pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus further explains the concept on how this disease works. Pancreas
Although heredity plays an important role whether a person inherits diabetes and to what extent, it can be controlled through useful methods that are affordable. By changing environmental risk factors, people can reduce their risk of developing diabetes. Increasing awareness of diabetes which is a major setback for some socio-economical background and rural areas as not enough awareness is made to the general public. Identifying people at risk for the disease is also another
What is Type 2 Diabetes? When you blood sugar, also known as glucose, is too high, this is known as Diabetes. Glucose is your main source of energy for your body. Glucose is found in food you eat and is also produced in your liver and muscles. You blood stream carries glucose all throughout your body to be used as energy.
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This essay will inform readers about the best practices, published guidelines, and clinical pathways for management of diabetes. Diabetes is a serious issue that affects millions of people. Unrecognized pre diabetes is also a growing concern that is increasing dramatically. Diabetes is not diagnosed for most homeless people, because they do not do have a yearly physical check-up. Published guidelines are useful to patients and practitioners because they focus on the improvement of care. Clinical pathways are also important, because they focus on the outcome and assessment of their achievement.
There are nearly 30 million people living with diabetes in the U.S. African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes, with 13.2% having been diagnosed with diabetes, compared to 7.6% of non-Hispanic whites. They are also at an increased risk for serious complications of diabetes, which include blindness, kidney disease and amputations. Although the risk for complications can’t be eliminated, good control of diabetes has been shown to reduce those risks.
In the US type 2 diabetes is a major medical problem affecting all ethnic backgrounds and needs to be addressed. The pre-diabetic and diabetic population is steadily increasing every year despite medical advancements. Unfortunately, the African American population is at a disadvantage when it comes to diabetes. Preventing medical complications related to diabetes, initiating health promotion programs, increasing healthy lifestyle behaviors will essentially lead to a decrease risk of complications secondary to diabetes and overall improve patient
Diabetes pertains to a group of illnesses that is characterized by an unusually increased amount of glucose in the blood of the person. Because of this, the person experiences problems in the shortage of insulin. This disease can result to significant complications that can even kill the person who has this condition. However, the good news is that diabetic people can be able to do certain measures to make sure that they are able to manage this disease and reduce the possibility that more complications would emerge. Diabetes is actually one of the primary causes of mortality and incapacity in America, and the overall expenses connected to the treatment of this disease is estimated to around the $200 billion every year. This paper will discuss the urban health problem of diabetes among African Americans.
Type II Diabetes in African Americans is a major health disparity that is growing every day and needs to be understood more. According to the American Diabetes Association, African Americans are 1.7 times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites (American Diabetes Association). Why is that? Scientist have been extensively trying to answer this question with various studies and experiments. Though it is not yet fully understood, small achievements have been made and answers are constantly being searched for. Testing and early diagnosis, primary prevention, access to care for everyone and improving that quality of care will make a difference in the number of casualties and people being affected in the African American community.
Over the past 30 years, the rate of diabetes in African American populations has tripled. Prevalence of diabetes in adults is 1.4 times as frequent in African Americans as in Caucasians. The increased prevalence is not dependent on gender.2 Additionally, nearly half of adults who meet the criteria for
We can and must prevent the preventable. The human and financial cost of not intervening will be far greater than the cost of intervening” (International Diabetes Federation, 2016). Basically, diabetes is preventable, it is one’s own will to have courage to fight and with the help of supporters there is no excuse in overcoming this disease. Diabetics are not alone, the American Diabetes Association provides planning meals, awareness programs, food recipes, the understanding of carbohydrates and many more supportive plans. In order to obtain a healthy lifestyle with no complications of any type of disease, it is important to dedicate at least an hour a day to physical activity. The famous writer Lieberman once said, “There’s no medicine that’s more important than exercise. Analyzes have shown, exercising is one of the most important medicines for the diabetic soul, keeping sugar and blood levels at a normal rate. In addition, carefully selecting portions of food that are consume daily. The disease itself is killing many different individuals despite economic statuses. Those who have the education and means usually take it for granted, when people in lower income countries inquire the access to reliable resources. Type II Diabetes impacts negatively on many facets of global development and economic sustainability. So it is crucial that this disease is be put in the forefront so that the global burden of Type II Diabetes be
The effects of diabetes are nothing less than devastating. It is a disease that is affected by interdependent genetic, social, economic, cultural, and historic factors (CDC, 2011a). In the United States, nearly 26 million Americans are living with diabetes, and another 79 million Americans have prediabetes (CDC, 2011a). Diabetes has been associated with reducing the quality of life of people with the disease, and it also has a tremendous economic burden on our health care system. In 2007, diabetes and its complication accounted for $218 billion in direct and indirect costs in 2007 alone (Dall, et al., 2010).
2 diabetics in Nigeria (Yusuf, Obe, & Joseph, 2007). .3 Though they are not considered as a major factor. However, African immigrants that have been exposed to a different way of treating disease find it difficult to accept modern medicine. A key reason is that the patient’s culture is often seen as a problem, causing a barrier to care. In my community where I grew up, I was raised using herbs, plants, roots and other alternative methods in treatment of illnesses. However, in the States one has to see a physician to diagnose and prescribe medications, which is something African immigrants finds difficult to get used to. Personally, I have always been cautious about the side effect and cost of
The burden of chronic, non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, is developing quickly in low and middle countries. This research found that there is an extent to people lacking in “knowledge about diabetes and its complications, access to diabetes-related health care and treatment, dietary and lifestyle changes; and family and social supports from individuals living with diabetes” (Anita, Miranda, Cody, & Peter, 2012). Actualizing administration programs for diabetes for underserved populations, in this case, the indigenous populations in Guatemala are consequently a global health challenge.