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SDRI’s Innovative Approaches to End Health Disparities in the Hispanic Community

Sansum Diabetes Research Institute (SDRI) celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) and recognizes the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans have made to our community. Along with acknowledging the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month, it is equally important to SDRI to raise awareness of the resources available to help our local Central Coast Hispanic/Latino communities, who are disproportionately impacted by diabetes.

“Healthcare in the United States is inequitable,” said Dr. David Kerr, Director of Research and Innovation at SDRI. “The consequence of inequity is that the burden of serious chronic disease such as diabetes falls disproportionately on populations experiencing health disparities, especially Hispanic/Latino families. To achieve health equity, we need to deliver trust in research as well as education and care, remove barriers to accessing technology and promote self-efficacy.” 

SDRI is a global leader in creating innovative approaches to end disparities and remove the current disproportionate impact of diabetes that affects Hispanic/Latino families. Mil Familias is a groundbreaking research study designed to evaluate why there is an increased risk of diabetes and its consequences in the Hispanic/Latino population, and to better understand their diabetes management problems and improve outcomes. This work will provide enormously valuable insights into understanding the unique critical aspects of diabetes between groups, including the importance of diet in the development and treatment of diabetes and its related cardiometabolic disorders.

The research program aims to build on prior work defining subtypes of type 2 diabetes derived from genetic and biological influences to include psychological, behavioral, and social/environmental influences and determine how these impact patient responses over time. This program is especially imperative for the Hispanic/Latino population in the U.S., which is at high risk for diabetes and associated complications and continues to be under-represented in clinical trials and efforts to develop personalized medical care approaches.

With success, this approach can be scaled to help other communities impacted by diabetes and other serious diseases that contribute to disparities and inequity.

We hope that through equitable and inclusive research, education, and clinical care, we will improve health and quality of life among Hispanic/Latino individuals, families, and communities.

To learn more, and to get involved in our programs please contact Arianna Larez at (805)335-0124 or visit https://latinodiabetes.sansum.org/.