PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore self-reported diabetes management strategies, social determinants of health (SDOH), and barriers to care among people with diabetes receiving care in a safety-net setting to identify factors contributing to disparities in outcomes for Black and Hispanic adults and inform future interventions.

METHODS

Sequential, explanatory, mixed methods study comprised a survey of adults with diabetes seen in primary care at a safety-net hospital in New England, followed by qualitative semistructured interviews with a subset of the Black and Hispanic respondents. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and tests were used to analyze quantitative data. The health equity implementation framework was used to guide qualitative data collection and directed content analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 496 respondents completed the survey; 48 Black and Hispanic adults participated in interviews. Diabetes-related distress was significantly higher among Black and Hispanic participants compared to White participants. Nutrition management use was significantly lower among Black and Hispanic participants. Qualitative findings suggest that SDOH and lack of education and support, specifically, nutrition and access to self-management resources, contributed to diabetes-related distress and prevented optimal self-management.

CONCLUSIONS

High rates of diabetes-related distress and low rates of nutrition management were identified in Black and Hispanic adults in a safety-net setting. Qualitative interviews demonstrated a relationship between adverse SDOH and lack of nutrition education with diabetes distress and challenges to self-management, potentially contributing to disparities in outcomes. Findings suggest that increased uptake of nutrition therapy and self-management education and support may be critical for improving diabetes outcomes and promoting health equity.