Abstract
Type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels, is viewed from a cultural and ethical standpoint. The ethical investigation examines regulations that govern or relate to type 2 diabetes and how they affect people with the condition’s eligibility to care and treatment. The relevance of legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in defending the rights and ensuring equal opportunities for people with diabetes will be highlighted in this analysis. The report also goes through the groups or cultures most affected by type 2 diabetes. The inquiry will also consider cultural variables affecting specific groups’ higher occurrence of type 2 diabetes, such as traditional meals.
Cultural and Ethical Perspective of Inquiry
Type 2 diabetes can lead to various health issues if not well controlled. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disorder defined by high blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is a complex healthcare issue that has a variety of effects on both individuals and society. The cultural and ethical aspects of inquiry will be highlighted in this paper because they offer important insights into how the condition is viewed and treated in various cultures and communities. What laws control or apply to type 2 diabetes will serve as the primary research question for this ethical inquiry. A level 2 research question to focus on the particulars of this subject is, “How does legislation on type 2 diabetes impact the access to care and treatment for persons with the condition?” The cultural viewpoint of the investigation will be guided by the question of what societies or cultures are highly influenced by type 2 diabetes. “What cultural aspects of particular cultures or societies lead to the greater incidence of type 2 diabetes? is the level 2 research question for this viewpoint that adds precision and detail to the investigation.
Ethical Perspective of Inquiry
Laws That Govern Type 2 Diabetes and How These Laws Affect the Access to Care and Treatment for Those with the Condition
Millions of individuals worldwide have type 2 diabetes, a chronic health disease, and regulations significantly impact how easily these people may receive care and treatment. Because access to essential services and treatments may significantly affect a person’s general health and well-being, the rules controlling diabetes can considerably impact the quality of life of individuals affected. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is one legislation that assists in defending the rights of those with diabetes. In terms of employment, housing, and accessibility to public accommodations, this legislation forbids discrimination against people with disabilities, including those with diabetes. This implies that individuals with diabetes are shielded against discrimination at work, in the housing market, and other situations. This law is critical in ensuring that people with diabetes have equal opportunities and can live with dignity and respect (O’Brien & Brown, 2018).
Millions of Americans now have greater access to healthcare thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including those with type 2 diabetes. According to the ACA, health insurance plans must provide co-pay- and deductible-free coverage for several preventative treatments, such as diabetes management and screenings. This makes it possible for people who have diabetes to obtain early diagnosis and treatment, which may significantly enhance their general health and well-being (Myerson et al., 2019). However, type 2 diabetes legislation and policies can differ significantly between states and nations, limiting access to care and treatment for persons with the illness. For instance, some states offer Medicaid programs that pay for the tools and supplies required to treat diabetes, such as insulin and blood glucose sensors. This can significantly help those who need help to afford these out-of-pocket expenses. However, despite these laws, access to care and treatment for people with type 2 diabetes can still be limited by the cost and availability of healthcare providers.
Insurance plans in some situations may not cover various treatments, and patients with low incomes might not be able to pay the out-of-pocket expenses for their care. This can be a significant obstacle to getting essential diabetic medication, hurting their health and quality of life. People in underprivileged regions may have extra obstacles to receiving the essential treatment for their diabetes since there are still significant differences in access to high-quality healthcare amongst various populations. These differences underline the significance of current initiatives to increase type 2 diabetes patients’ access to care and treatment and address more significant socioeconomic issues that contribute to health inequalities. To address the underlying causes of these inequalities, for instance, there is a need for more investment in public healthcare programs, community outreach programs, and awareness-raising and education campaigns (Jia et al., 2019).
Cultural Perspective of Inquiry
Cultures or Societies Most Affected By Type 2 Diabetes
A worldwide public health concern, type 2 diabetes affects people worldwide. However, this sickness is more likely to spread in some groups and cultures than others. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that middle- and low-income nations, where more than 80% of persons with diabetes inhabit, have the highest incidence of type 2 diabetes. This demonstrates the disease’s severe effects on some of the world’s most vulnerable groups. Type 2 diabetes is more widespread in some communities than others, including those in the Pacific Islands, the Middle East, and North Africa, as well as some indigenous people in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Additionally, certain ethnic groups, such as Native Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics, have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic whites (Omodara et al., 2022). These disparities in type 2 diabetes rates between different cultures and societies can be attributed to genetic and environmental factors.
Cultural Factors That Contribute to The Advanced Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in Specific Cultures or Societies
The occurrence of type 2 diabetes varies widely across various cultures and groups, and it is an issue of rising public health concern globally. The causes of this discrepancy resulted from a convergence of cultural, environmental, and lifestyle variables. Particular cultural factors are critical in the emergence of type 2 diabetes. The increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes is significantly influenced by traditional meals, which represent a critical cultural element. For instance, the typical diet in the Pacific Islands, where type 2 diabetes is rampant, consists mainly of processed foods and meals rich in simple carbs, with little to no fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. This diet frequently contains large amounts of sugar, processed carbs, and bad fats, which may help type 2 diabetes develop (Al-Sahouri et al., 2022). Similarly, in the Middle East, traditional diets are also often high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats, which intensify the danger of type 2 diabetes.
Cultural practices and beliefs are other factors. In some cultures, there is a strong emphasis on hospitality, which often involves offering guests high-calorie, high-fat foods. This practice, while well-intentioned, can increase weight and intensify the threat of type 2 diabetes. In other cultures, the belief that being overweight is a sign of good health and prosperity can contribute to a disregard for good lifestyle behaviors that help avoid type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is significantly influenced by the environment as well. People who live in low-income countries, where type 2 diabetes is quite common, frequently have limited access to nutritious dietary alternatives, chances for safe and convenient physical activity, and enough healthcare services (Omodara et al., 2022). Type 2 diabetes may develop due to the lack of possibilities for physical exercise and access to wholesome foods.
The increased rate of type 2 diabetes in some cultures and communities can also be attributed to lifestyle factors, including smoking, inactivity, and sedentary behavior. For instance, people in the Middle East, where type 2 diabetes is prevalent, frequently lead sedentary lifestyles with little chances for exercise. This sedentary lifestyle, combined with a traditional diet high in sugar and unhealthy fats, can increase the jeopardy of type 2 diabetes. Similarly, smoking is widely accepted in certain cultures, which increases the risk of chronic health conditions and type 2 diabetes. For instance, type 2 diabetes disparities between Native Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics can be explained by various factors, such as genetics, environmental factors, and cultural perspectives on health and well-being. For instance, due to a higher frequency of obesity and other risk factors, including high blood pressure and idleness, African Americans are more prone to acquire type 2 diabetes. Native Americans, many of whom reside on reservations, have less access to wholesome foods and physical activity, which raises the incidence of type 2 diabetes in these groups (Omodara et al., 2022). Similarly, type 2 diabetes rates are more excellent among Hispanics, who are frequently immigrants or come from low-income families and have less access to healthcare and good practices.
Notably, indigenous peoples in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes than other groups, as was previously mentioned. Various factors, such as a higher prevalence of obesity, restricted access to nutritious foods and physical activity, and socioeconomic and cultural elements that support unhealthy lifestyles, might be blamed for this gap. For instance, many Indigenous groups in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand experience poverty and have low access to wholesome food, resulting in unhealthy eating patterns and an advanced risk of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, these groups’ traditional cultures might not emphasize the value of exercise and a nutritious diet, which can result in sedentary behavior and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (Komaratat et al., 2021).
Conclusively, type 2 diabetes is a complicated healthcare condition that has a variety of effects on both individuals and society. The cultural and ethical aspects of the investigation offer insightful information on how the disease is viewed and treated in various cultures and countries. Access to care and treatment for those with type 2 diabetes can be significantly impacted by the laws and policies that govern or apply to the problem, and cultural aspects like diet, physical exercise patterns, and cultural beliefs can help explain why the condition is more common in some cultures or societies. For both the ethical and cultural viewpoints of inquiry, this study has offered answers to level 1 and 2 research questions and evidence to support the claims made. To create efficient and fair strategies for managing the illness and improving the health outcomes for individuals afflicted, it is crucial to have a deeper awareness of the cultural and ethical aspects of type 2 diabetes.
References
Al-Sahouri, A., Merrell, J., & Snelgrove, S. (2019). Attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions of patients regarding type-2 diabetes in Jordan. Journal of Diabetes Mellitus, 9(01), 1.
Jia, W., Weng, J., Zhu, D., Ji, L., Lu, J., Zhou, Z., & Chinese Diabetes Society. (2019). Standards of medical care for type 2 diabetes in China 2019. Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews, 35(6), e3158.
Komaratat, C., Auemaneekul, N., & Kittipichai, W. (2021). Quality of life for type II diabetes mellitus patients in a suburban tertiary hospital in Thailand. Journal of Health Research, 35(1), 3-14.
Myerson, R., Romley, J., Chiou, T., Peters, A. L., & Goldman, D. (2019). The Affordable care act and health insurance coverage among people with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes: data from the National health and nutrition examination survey. Diabetes Care, 42(11), e179-e180.
O’Brien, G. V., & Brown, M. S. (2018). Important elements of the Americans with Disabilities Act for persons with diabetes. Journal of social work in disability & rehabilitation, 7(2), 81-93.
Omodara, D. A., Gibson, L., & Bowpitt, G. (2022). Exploring the impact of cultural beliefs in the self-management of type 2 diabetes among Black sub-Saharan Africans in the UK–a qualitative study informed by the PEN-3 cultural model. Ethnicity & Health, 27(6), 1358-1376.
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