Abstract

LOPEZ RAMON, Concepción  and  AVALOS GARCIA, María Isabel. Towards the social perspective-oriented analysis of diabetes mellitus. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2013, vol.39, n.2, pp. 331-345. ISSN 0864-3466.

Nowadays, diabetes mellitus is considered a social disease, not only because of its high prevalence, but also because of its social cost. This last element represents a big burden for the governments and for the families of the persons who suffer from diabetes. In the last ten years, great scientific and academic interest has aroused concerning psychosocial aspects and quality of life associated with chronic diseases, particularly diabetes. Researchers estimate that any therapeutic approach to the treatment, prevention of complications, and wellbeing of diabetic patients must take into account a clear understanding of its social, psychological and psychiatric implications. This article analyzed diabetes mellitus type II under a social perspective. It means taking into account cultural, social and economic factors. All of them predispose certain type of behavior of the patient concerning his/her disease, as well as changes in his/her familiar, workplace and community settings when the diagnostic is known. Frequently, the patient denies being ill, that is why most researchers begin their studies by carefully observing this behavior. In Mexico, diabetes mellitus control has become a serious economic problem for the patient, the family, the society and the state; hence, it is necessary to deal with those relevant aspects of this disease which have been forgotten or ignored by the medical community. All these factors are still present and we must do as much as possible to eliminate this backwardness and to fulfill our social commitment with all the persons suffering from this disease.

Keywords : diabetes mellitus; social determinants; epidemiology; Mexico.

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