Publication · The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care · 2025
Diabetes education works best when it is built around the real facilitators and barriers Asian Americans face, including cost and culturally relevant support.
We asked Asian Americans with type 2 diabetes what helps and what gets in the way when they try to use diabetes education and support programs, so those programs can serve them better.
Asian Americans face a disproportionate burden of type 2 diabetes, yet very few people take part in formal diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES). We interviewed Asian American patients about what shapes whether they engage with these programs.
Participants described barriers such as cost, stigma, and a lack of culturally tailored resources, alongside the supports that help them stay engaged. The findings point toward more accessible, culturally responsive programs.
In the news: Physician’s Weekly featured this study.
Trusted, culturally relevant education and support that fits patients’ lives.
Cost, stigma, and a lack of resources tailored to Asian American experiences.
Influences span individual, family, and community contexts.
Asian American experiences vary widely across subgroups and should not be treated as a monolith.