Research Description
The earlier onset of type 2 diabetes increases individuals' risk for diabetes-related complications, such as kidney and heart disease. These high-risk younger adults (defined here as younger than 45 years) are also less likely to achieve the diabetes management goals associated with improved long-term health. Younger Latinx adults, representing 35% of the younger-onset population, are at particularly high risk for suboptimal diabetes management. Unfortunately, current type 2 diabetes care does not account for the distinct age- and culturally-related barriers many younger Latinx adults face. Examples of such barriers include struggles to balance the time demands of parenting young children, working one or more jobs, and prioritizing family needs over individual needs. Initial diabetes care explicitly designed to meet the needs of younger Latinx adults may help address persistent inequities in diabetes-related health outcomes for Latinx people. This research will consist of two Aims. First, we will work with younger Latinx adults with diabetes and with diabetes experts to develop an initial diabetes care pathway designed to meet the needs of younger Latinx adults who are parenting non-adult children. Second, we will test the effectiveness of the care pathway in a randomized pilot trial. For this trial, younger Latinx adults newly diagnosed with diabetes will be randomly assigned to receive standard diabetes care (Control Arm) or care based on the new care pathway (Intervention Arm). We will compare changes in blood sugar control over the next six months between the two study arms.Research Profile
What area of diabetes research does your project cover? What role will this particular project play in preventing, treating and/or curing diabetes?Our research focuses on Latinx adults who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a younger age (diagnosis before age 45). This growing patient population is at high risk of developing diabetes-related complications, like kidney disease and strokes. Our research will help improve the way we care for these patients during the important period after their type 2 diabetes diagnosis. We are specifically focusing on newly diagnosed, younger Latinx adults who are balancing a new type 2 diabetes diagnosis with parenting non-adult children (age<18 years). If we can provide initial type 2 diabetes care that better meets the needs of these patients, we can help improve their blood sugar levels towards the goal of better long-term health.
If a person with diabetes were to ask you how your project will help them in the future, how would you respond?Though this research is focused on younger Latinx adults with type 2 diabetes, it will provide important insights on how we can make type 2 diabetes care fit with patients’ different needs, challenges, and preferences. Further, many of the lessons we learn from this research will apply to other patients with type 2 diabetes and can help providers and health systems change how they care for patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Why important for you, personally, to become involved in diabetes research? What role will this award play?I have been conducting type 2 diabetes research for over 10 years. I was drawn to this area because of my personal and clinical experiences. The driving force behind my research is a deeply held belief that every patient with type 2 diabetes deserves equitable, compassionate, and evidence-based care. This research will enable me to translate my formative work into an intervention that can impact care and health for a high-need group of patients with type 2 diabetes.
In what direction do you see the future of diabetes research going?Despite increased knowledge and novel therapeutic agents, type 2 diabetes care outcomes have stagnated. I believe the next step in type 2 diabetes research is identifying ways to shift from care approaches that are often “one-size-fits-all” to approaches that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient.