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The Role of Socioeconomic Status in Latino Health Disparities Among Youth with Type 1 Diabetes: a Systematic Review

  • Psychosocial Aspects (SS Jaser, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) incidence is growing faster among Latino than non-Latino White youth, but ethnic disparities in self-management behaviors and HbA1c are unclear. Socioeconomic status (SES) is a key factor in T1D, which may confound or contribute to disparities in Latino pediatric T1D management. A systematic review examined whether ethnic differences in pediatric T1D outcomes occur and are independent of socioeconomic status (SES).

Recent Findings

Latino youth displayed lower self-management and higher HbA1c in approximately half of the identified studies prior to including SES in analyses. Ethnic differences in self-management were found for objective (i.e., frequency of blood glucose checks), but not subjective measures. Ethnic differences were often eliminated when SES was statistically controlled. SES moderated some differences, suggesting complex sociocultural processes. Articles varied widely in SES measures and the analytic methods used to evaluate ethnic disparities.

Summary

Pediatric Latino T1D disparities are inconsistent and at least partially dependent on the SES context. Recommendations for future research to systematically evaluate SES and Latino T1D disparities are made.

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Notes

  1. For inclusivity, this review used the term Latino, rather than Hispanic [1].

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Jose Barba, David Nunez, Gino Acevedo, Ana Belen Anguiano, Jessica Chavez, and Stephanie Noriega for their assistance with screening articles for this study and W. Kyle Hamilton for his assistance with calculating effect sizes.

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Contributions

DM and DW equally developed the idea for the current study; DM performed the literature search, screening, and analyses, in conjunction with research assistants; DM and DW equally drafted and critically revised the work.

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Correspondence to Daniel Mello.

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Mello, D., Wiebe, D. The Role of Socioeconomic Status in Latino Health Disparities Among Youth with Type 1 Diabetes: a Systematic Review. Curr Diab Rep 20, 56 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-020-01346-4

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