COVID-19 Health Disparities, Diabetes, and Communities of Color
COVID-19 Health Disparities, Diabetes, and Communities of Color
February 4, 2021 | Best Practice
1. Address social determinants of health and systemic factors in marginalized communities
Recognizing that living healthfully doesn’t simply involve healthy eating and engaging in physical activity is an important part of helping those affected by diabetes. Systemic inequities have led to gaps in access to care, community spaces to get active in, and healthful foods which all lead to a higher risk of diabetes and its potential negative health outcomes.
2. Increase accessibility to trusted resources
By utilizing reputable, trusted resources, individuals are able to learn more about ways to increase healthful behaviors, as well as keep their prediabetes from progressing. Engaging with communities is a valuable way to increase engagement from individuals as well.
3. Understand the greater risk factors associated with diabetes and Covid-19
Still utilizing trusted, community-based resources, it’s vital to inform individuals with diabetes that healthful behaviors also include things like mask-wearing and social distancing due to the increased risks associated with contracting Covid-19.
4. Utilize telehealth solutions
With Covid-19 and the increase in precautions, patients are now looking to utilize their phones and computers to receive medical advice as opposed to visiting a physical office. Nutritional guidance, workouts, resources for food insecurity, and more can all be provided through a phone or video call.
To learn more health equity best practices, attend an upcoming CHI educational event
Joseph Gaspero is the CEO and Co-Founder of CHI. He is a healthcare executive, strategist, and researcher. He co-founded CHI in 2009 to be an independent, objective, and interdisciplinary research and education institute for healthcare. Joseph leads CHI’s research and education initiatives focusing on including patient-driven healthcare, patient engagement, clinical trials, drug pricing, and other pressing healthcare issues. He sets and executes CHI’s strategy, devises marketing tactics, leads fundraising efforts, and manages CHI’s Management team. Joseph is passionate and committed to making healthcare and our world a better place. His leadership stems from a wide array of experiences, including founding and operating several non-profit and for-profit organizations, serving in the U.S. Air Force in support of 2 foreign wars, and deriving expertise from time spent in industries such as healthcare, financial services, and marketing. Joseph’s skills include strategy, management, entrepreneurship, healthcare, clinical trials, diversity & inclusion, life sciences, research, marketing, and finance. He has lived in six countries, traveled to over 30 more, and speaks 3 languages, all which help him view business strategy through the prism of a global, interconnected 21st century. Joseph has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago. When he’s not immersed in his work at CHI, he spends his time snowboarding backcountry, skydiving, mountain biking, volunteering, engaging in MMA, and rock climbing.