Culture Counts: Why Current Treatment Models Fail Hispanic Women With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

PURPOSE The purpose of this article is to evaluate whether current treatment models adequately address the cultural factors involved in treatment adherence in Hispanic females with Type 2 diabetes. METHODS A review of relevant professional literature was conducted. RESULTS Established health behavior models do not adequately address the unique needs of the female Hispanic population, especially those older women who hold traditional religious and cultural beliefs. CONCLUSIONS To decrease the devastating effects of Type 2 diabetes among Hispanic women, interventions must be based on a comprehensive, culturally sensitive model that works with cultural values, not against them.