The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69580

Neda Moayad, MS¹, Janet Marruffo, MD², Hector Balcazar, MS, PhD³, Andras Lacko, PhD⁴, Walter McConathy, PhD⁵, Muriel Marshall, DO, DrPH⁶, Luis Velasco, MD⁵, Guadalupe Munguia-Bayona, MD³, Dinorah Calles, MPH(C)⁷, and Manuel Bayona, MD, PhD². (1) University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107, (2) Department of Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699, (817) 735 - 0593, mbayona@hsc.unt.edu, (3) Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, University of North Texas, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, University of North Texas, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699, (4) University ofN. Texas, Health Science Center at Fort Worth, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, (5) Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107, (6) Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107, (7) Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107

Latino population is the fastest growing ethnic group in Texas representing more than 35% of the total population. Recent evidence shows that diabetes among Latinos has increased considerably in the last few years. The prevalence of type II diabetes in Latinos ages 45-74 is three times higher than in no Latino whites of the same age group. A 1998 community assessment in Fort Worth, Texas indicated that type II diabetes was the greatest problem in Latino households. Low social and economic level and language barriers have been identified as important factors that decrease accessibility to medical care that in turn elicits the worsening of the disease in this population. The purpose of the present study was to identify and assess additional risk factors for severe type II diabetes in 296 newly diagnosed Latino patients in Fort Worth, Texas. A total of 147 patients with severe type II diabetes were compared to 149 patients with moderate type II diabetes regarding selected variables and factors such as concomitant diseases and conditions, demographics, anthropometrics, blood lipids profile, occupation, income, life style, language problems, acculturation level and family cohesiveness. The results of this study can be used to identify high risk groups for severe type II diabetes in whom public health interventions should be emphasized.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session the participant will be able to
• Recognize the importance of type II diabetes in the Latino population.
• Identify major factors associated with severe type II diabetes.
• Describe social, behavioral and life style determinants of severe type II diabetes.
• List possible interventions to prevent worsening of type II diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes, Epidemiology

Related Web page: www.hsc.unt.edu

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.