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Cultural Contexts of Health and Wellbeing

Improving Diabetes Care Brief

Cover of Improving Diabetes Care briefUnderstanding Type 2 diabetes as a “lifestyle disease” caused by the patient’s own choices can result in feelings of shame, a reluctance to seek care, and increased anxiety that worsens the condition.

But diet and exercise choices are but one element of Type 2 diabetes risk; and even these are shaped by structural and cultural contexts. Policymakers and providers need to focus instead on the root causes of this disease, including economic and geographic marginalization, chemical and environmental exposure, and socio-cultural contexts.  Learn how decision-makers in Brazil, Cuba, and China are making strides by using holistic approaches and community efforts to improve the health of type 2 diabetes patients.

Download the full report Improving Diabetes Care: Cultural Contexts, Global Comparisons, and Colonial Legacies or read the one-page summaries here: