Current Research and Marketing: Hispanics Are Struggling with Diabetes

Last week I brought to light a story that explored the high percentage of suicide attempts among Hispanic teen girls. I was fascinated by the idea that psychological research is taking a more multi-cultural approach in its design. Since psychology has been a predominantly white American field of research, it is crucial to take what has been discovered and investigate the effects of culture on current and past data. In conjunction with this idea, I wanted to investigate other research areas in hopes of finding cross cultural data being gathered. This week I chose a topic that a few other bloggers focused on this week as well, diabetes. The first post I came across was entitled "Hispanics Have More Difficulty Controlling Diabetes Than Non-Hispanic Whites", published by expert marketer Juan Tornoe, whose topics of interest are aimed to serve the Hispanic community. His most recent post regarding Hispanic health issues on his blog titled Hispanic Trending, presents a recent study, more specifically a meta-analysis, which provides evidence that Hispanics have a harder time controlling their diabetes when compared to other ethnic groups. The article he provides a link to states that this trend can be explained by the fact that many Hispanics come from low income families. Because of this, they are unable to afford regular check ups or the medication to control their disease (see image above). The second post I found was entitled, "Colorful New Glucometers Hit the Diabetes Market". This post was published by writer and photographer, Sean Kelley, whose blog can be found on Health.com's "Poked and Prodded" section of the site. Kelley's post presents a new product meant to make the diabetic's life a little bit more glamorous (see image below). I chose to comment on this post in hopes of gathering a follow-up from the author in terms of how products like these affect the low income minority population struggling with diabetes. I offer my comments to these posts below as well as on each author's individual blog.

"Hispanics Have More Difficulty Controlling Diabetes than Non-Hispanic Whites"
My Response:

I would first like to thank you not only for this informative post but also for your overall blog. I found it not only interesting but thought provoking as well. I am excited that there is such a current and up to date forum that addresses topics of marketing and health that are relevant to Hispanic members of the community. I am glad that you chose to include this recent study on diabetes on your blog. I agree that diabetes is an important topic to conduct research on and it seems that the new findings confirm the fact that Hispanics need extra resources to aid their battle with diabetes. I found it interesting that the researchers were quoted saying "We were not surprised by these findings since ethnic minorities in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by diabetes, and we found a similar trend in the African American population with diabetes a year ago". I find this statement to be very troubling. I feel that it implies that the research that was conducted a year ago has had little to no effect on the minority population dealing with diabetes. It would have been comforting to see how this research has produced beneficial programs or resources to diminish the amount of disparities among low income minorities. It is with studies like these that changes need to be made. Various studies I have come across comment on disadvantages of Hispanics because of economic status or cultural practices. Do you think this struggle with diabetes is clearly an indication of disparities brought on by low income, or could it be that cultural practices are harder to change? Last week, in my blog, I addressed a different study that mentioned how the assimilation of Hispanics could be the cause of higher rates of depression in teens, which can lead to the higher rates in suicide they found among Hispanic teen girls. Researchers believe that girls who exhibit high levels of depression and anxiety, lack a strong connection to family members from their country of origin. With last week's study and the one mentioned in your post, it seems that culture in some aspects can be beneficial but in others be seen as detrimental.

Although I find your blog informative, I would have liked to read your opinion on the research mentioned. As a future physician, it is important for me to understand the communities I serve. It would have been beneficial for me to read the thoughts and ideas of someone who has dedicated their life's work to the Hispanic community. I would like to hear your thoughts not only on the research aspect but also in terms of marketing and how that affects Hispanics' decisions to change their lifestyles. For example, I came across this new product. Do you think this is aimed toward the average Hispanic diabetic? I think not.

"Colorful New Glucometers Hit the Diabetes Market"
My Response:

I would like to start off by thanking you for choosing to write your blog on such an important topic like diabetes, as well as for stating that you have lived with type II diabetes for ten years. It is apparent that you feel strongly about raising awareness about diabetes. It is also refreshing to see that you it with a sense of humor. Although I enjoyed your post on the new line of ipod-esque glucometers by Life Scan on the market, I am curious as to your thoughts on a recent study published by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. I am not sure if you have aware of the study or not, but it states that Hispanics have a harder time controlling their diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. Just wondering if innovative, yet pricey, gadgets like the one mentioned in your post attribute to the problem rather than the solution. It is interesting to see that a product that is meant to facilitate a healthy lifestyle for all people suffering from diabetes would be marketed to a younger and more modern consumer. The study chose to focus on diabetics between the ages of 18 and 79, which could essentially benefit from a product like the One Touch Mini. You stated that you paid close to $100 for your glucometer, but apparently they can be purchased for around $20 now. Although the price of the actual monitor is reasonable, test strip prices are still expensive. Even you stated that manufacturers make money off of diabetics by giving away glucometers but charging a high price for the testing strips. Sure, this new product can appeal to a younger diabetic, but with elevated prices for test strips, is it even plausible that a low income minority would use it as often as is expected?

Although I found your post interesting and informative, I would have liked to have read your insights on products like these in terms of their practicality when living with diabetes. Is a glucometer a product you believe all diabetics should own (the One Touch Mini or not)? If so, how do you feel about the prices the manufacturers choose to place on products that are essential to promote a healthy lifestyle?

Increasing Suicide Attempts among Hispanic Teen Girls: Can the Next President Help?

Puberty is a time of transition for adolescents that can bring about feelings of anxiety, insecurity and even depression. While the perils of growing up are often times similar for many teens, occasionally these seemingly minor problems can spin out of control. Most psychologists would encourage parent/teen communication in order to ease times of transition. What happens if parents do not believe in the importance of mental health for their teens? Because the field of psychology and mental health, in comparison to other medical practices, is relatively young in its development, many people are hesitant to trust its beneficial qualities when dealing with anxiety and depression. Additionally, most of the influential theories in psychology are not cross-culturally applicable. For immigrant teens, like Jocelyn Garay (left) and Ana Martinez (right), both major and minor changes associated with puberty were not always easily discussed with relatives because other problems took precedence for their families. When feelings of anxiety and depression go unresolved, severe repercussions come to the surface.

On January 22, 2008, the Washington Post published a story titled "Crying Out for Help: Suicide Attempts Reveal Strains on Young Latinas." The article states that among the general population, Hispanic/Latin American females are more likely than White or Black teenage girls to attempt suicide. In a study conducted in 1999 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where teen risk behavior was surveyed, researchers found that 23.3% of Hispanic teen girls reported having made plans to commit suicide. This was significantly higher than both White (15.5%) and Black teen girls (13.7%). Luis Zayas, a psychologist and professor at Washington University in Saint Louis, who is currently conducting a study on this subject matter, offers some insights as to why this is becoming typical behavior among this specific group of girls. Zayas believes these attempts of suicide are merely a cry for help and not evidentiary of a will to die. Some explanations as to why these girls attempt to take their lives include the absence of strong familial ties, feelings of insecurity among peers, and confusion between what is expected of them in American culture versus what their families expect. Zayas also claims that crossing the border for immigrant teens can be a major source of anxiety and stress. He goes on to say, "Until we understand the cultural conflict, we will not be able to prevent this." What makes problems worse is that Hispanics rarely seek out mental health professionals. This is due to the fact that most Hispanic families do not believe in psychology and also promote keeping problems within the family. The Washington Post decided to present this story as a major crisis for the Hispanic teen population, but the question is, can the results of these studies be interpreted as progress rather than a widespread epidemic?

The idea that young Hispanics are coming forward with reports of having made plans to end their lives and are participating in ongoing psychological research is definitely a step forward. These participants are raising awareness of the importance of mental health services. This has important implications for future generations who will eventually know the severity of depression and suicidal tendencies among their youth. It is important to understand that these findings can serve as a stepping-stone for major change within the community. A hopeful message can be extracted from the progress these teens are making, in terms of their willingness to discuss their emotions with mental health professionals. What better time to bring up change within the Hispanic and Latin American community than during one of the biggest times of transition; the 2008 presidential election?

It seems that the upcoming election will have a major impact on many hot topics over the next few years. With Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain (pictured to the right) promoting major immigration reform, it is inevitable that the changes will affect many immigrants in the United States. Some of the changes mentioned by all three leading candidates include stronger border security as well as stricter laws against employers hiring undocumented workers. One of Obama's solutions includes allowing immigrants in good standing to pay a fine, learn English and have the opportunity to come to this country legally. Although each candidate has different opinions about how to solve the problem, the importance of keeping families together has been addressed at least by both democratic candidates. Ineffective laws, in the past, have separated parents and children, which only adds to the stress of immigrant teens. The mere fact that these issues are being addressed by the future leader of the nation seems to implicate that progress is being made.

The Latin American/Hispanic population in the United States is ever growing, which has never been more evident than during this time of presidential campaigning. With the information being brought to light by current research, it becomes clear that those who were once considered a minority in this country are impacting the field of psychology as well as politics in a major way. It is important to understand cultural differences when addressing topics such as health in the United States. Although studies such as Professor Louis Zayas' on suicidal teens can seem daunting and hopeless, it should be viewed as a beacon of hope. Not only hope that health care professionals are beginning to focus on minority mental health but also that presidential change has the power to reduce some of the turmoil foreigners currently deal with when immigrating to the United States.