Barriers to Type 2 Diabetes Management Among Older Adult Haitian Immigrants.
Cherlie Magny-Normilus, Robin Whittemore, Deborah J Wexler and 3 others
PMID 34610761WHAT IT FOUND
Older Haitian immigrants with type 2 diabetes described financial hardship and social isolation as major barriers to care, often forcing them to skip medications or appointments.
They relied heavily on church and family networks for support, which helped them maintain glycemic control despite these structural challenges.
Key findings
01Participants reported skipping medications and missing doctor appointments due to the high cost of care and food, with many describing diabetes management as financially unsustainable.
02Participants experienced social isolation from non-Haitian neighbors due to language barriers and perceived discrimination, which limited their access to broader community health resources.
03Strong social networks within the Haitian community, particularly church and family, were essential for coping with diabetes management and maintaining glycemic control.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study used purposive sampling from churches in the northeastern United States, so findings may not generalize to Haitian immigrants in other regions or those not affiliated with a church. Self-reported A1C values were used, which may not be accurate. The qualitative design aims for depth of understanding rather than statistical generalization or measurement of effect sizes. Participants were generally engaged in self-care and had lived in the US for over 30 years, potentially excluding the experiences of newer immigrants or those less connected to care.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest. One author (DJW) reported serving on data monitoring committees for Novo Nordisk, unrelated to this work.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the 45% of participants meeting glycemic control targets as evidence that church-based support leads to better clinical outcomes. This is a qualitative description of experiences, not a trial measuring efficacy, and the sample was recruited from churches, which may select for individuals already more engaged in care.