VIDEO: How to overcome social determinants of health and improve diabetes care
In this video exclusive, Jonathan D. Leffert, MD, talks with Alyson K. Myers, MD, about disparities people with diabetes face and how those social determinants of health impact outcomes.
Leffert is managing partner at North Texas Endocrine Center, a past president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology and an Endocrine Today Editorial Board Member. Myers is associate chair for diversity, equity and inclusion in the department of medicine at Montefiore Einstein in Bronx, New York.
Leffert and Myers discuss how health insurance coverage can affect the ability for a person with diabetes to access devices such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring. Myers added that social determinants of health can have a large impact on outcomes for a person with diabetes.
“If you actually look at a map of New York City, [the Bronx] have some of the highest rates [of diabetes],” Myers said. “It’s really important that we think about these social determinants of health and think about how they play a role in people’s health outcomes and diabetes care.”
Myers said her institution has programs to help people access transportation and healthy food. Additionally, a program at Montefiore Einstein’s pharmacy helps underserved patients pay for medications.
“Having programs like this for people who are either uninsured or underinsured can help close these gaps in disparities,” Myers said.
Leffert and Myers also discussed implicit bias and how it can affect the way providers communicate with patients and make decisions regarding care.
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