Health behaviors and quality of care among Latinos with diabetes in managed care

Am J Public Health. 2003 Oct;93(10):1694-8. doi: 10.2105/ajph.93.10.1694.

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluated whether ethnicity and language are associated with diabetes care for Latinos in managed care.

Methods: Using data from 4685 individuals in the Translating Research Into Action for Diabetes (TRIAD) Study, a multicenter study of diabetes care in managed care, we constructed multivariate regression models to compare health behaviors, processes of care, and intermediate outcomes for Whites and English- and Spanish-speaking Latinos.

Results: Latinos had lower rates of self-monitoring of blood glucose and worse glycemic control than did Whites, higher rates of foot self-care and dilated-eye examinations, and comparable rates of other processes and intermediate outcomes of care.

Conclusions: Although self-management and quality of care are comparable for Latinos and Whites with diabetes, important ethnic disparities persist in the managed care settings studied.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / ethnology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / therapy*
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / analysis
  • Health Behavior / ethnology*
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Language
  • Managed Care Programs / standards*
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care*
  • Patient Compliance / ethnology*
  • United States
  • White People / psychology

Substances

  • Glycated Hemoglobin A