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?