User:Butterflyrazorback73/sandbox/Diabetes and poverty

Cheri Smith

Diabetes and poverty

I work at Baptist Health Little Rock on a medical surgical floor, and I often see uncontrolled diabetes in those with lower incomes. I have found it is likely if a patient does not have the means to sufficiently support themselves or their families, they do not have the means to obtain the supplies they need to manage their diabetes. Diabetics need monitors, strips, insulin, oral medications, doctor visits, etc., and with a lack of money, insurance, and/or resources, these things are not obtainable. Those who have trouble paying for food or medicine had the highest risk of poor diabetes control (Reinberg, 2014). Diabetes and poverty can be a cycle. The cost of treatment and/or loss of employment from multiple hospitalizations can push vulnerable people and families deeper into the poverty cycle, which makes it harder to manage the disease. It is important that healthcare providers be aware of these challenges with diabetics in order to provide education and assistance at discharge. This assistance should help in reducing length of stay and re-admission rates.

Reinberg, S. 2014. Poverty makes diabetes care tougher. Healthday. http://healthday.com