Experiences of diabetes for low-income Canadians
A recently published study from York University explores how living on a low income affects patients’ self-management of type 2 diabetes. The results are based on semi-structured interviews with 60 participants from four community health centres in a large Canadian city.
The researchers identified an overarching theme (resilient struggle for survival amid hardship) and three sub-themes (balancing competing priorities; making the best of it; and using knowledge and bodily knowing in diabetes self-management), which describe participants’ struggle to survive and manage their diabetes as best as they can, under the circumstances.
The study concludes that it is important to provide patient-centred care, incorporating poverty as a clinical risk factor, assisting patients in accessing resources and advocating for policy changes to prevent and adequately manage diabetes.
See “The Experience of Living with Diabetes for Low-income Canadians,”Canadian Journal of Diabetes (2010; 34[2]:119-126), available atwww.diabetes.ca.
