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Social Disorder in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Building on Race, Place, and Poverty

  • Psychosocial Aspects (S Jaser and KK Hood, Section Editors)
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Abstract

The recent resurgence of social and civic disquiet in the USA has contributed to increasing recognition that social conditions are meaningfully connected to disease and death. As a “lifestyle disease,” control of diabetes requires modifications to daily activities, including healthy dietary practices, regular physical activity, and adherence to treatment regimens. One’s ability to develop the healthy practices necessary to prevent or control type 2 diabetes may be influenced by a context of social disorder, the disruptive social and economic conditions that influence daily activity and, consequently, health status. In this paper, we report on our narrative review of the literature that explores the associations between social disorder and diabetes-related health outcomes within vulnerable communities. We also propose a multilevel ecosocial model for conceptualizing social disorder, specifically focusing on its role in racial disparities and its pathways to mediating diabetes outcomes.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) (Grant No. R18DK083946), the Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research (Grant No. P30 DK092949-01), and the Merck Foundation. Elizabeth L. Tung, MD was also supported by the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (Grant No. T32 HS000078-17).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Behavioral and Social Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Shantell L. Steve

  2. Section of General Internal Medicine, Chicago Center of Diabetes Translation Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Elizabeth L. Tung

  3. Department of Sociology, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA

    John J. Schlichtman

  4. Section of General Internal Medicine, Chicago Center of Diabetes Translation Research, MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Monica E. Peek

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  1. Shantell L. Steve
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Correspondence to Elizabeth L. Tung.

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Shantell L. Steve, Elizabeth L. Tung, John J. Schlichtman, and Monica E. Peek declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Shantell L. Steve and Elizabeth L. Tung are co-first authors; both first authors contributed equally to this manuscript.

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Steve, S.L., Tung, E.L., Schlichtman, J.J. et al. Social Disorder in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Building on Race, Place, and Poverty. Curr Diab Rep 16, 72 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-016-0760-4

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