Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Empowering Culturally Specific Needs And Barriers In Diabetes Education As Identified By Polish Speaking Patients, Bernadeta Agnieszka Kapustka

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that poses a major public health problem. Ethnic minorities are at increased risk for developing diabetes and diabetes complications compared to the general population. Patient education is essential for self-management and for tackling this growing epidemic, yet not enough patients are receiving effective diabetes education. The Polish patient population have unmet needs for diabetes education that is specific to their cultural beliefs and dietary habits. Culturally specific diabetes education should address differences in lifestyle and health behaviors that are unique to every ethnic, cultural, and religious group. Diabetes education classes for Polish speaking patients …