Social Solutions to Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is a social disease, caused
by environments
high in stress and sugar, low in opportunities to move or to
feel good about ourselves. But people’s genes or behavior are
blamed for causing diabetes, and we are expected to deal with it
as individuals. This isn’t fair and doesn’t work.
We need social approaches – bringing people together to
increase personal power (self-confidence, support, sense of
hope, positive goals, self-esteem) and social power (creating
healthier social and physical environments, reducing isolation
and inequality.) This isn’t
just about diabetes. It’s about individuals, families, and
communities bringing wellness into their lives and helping to
heal sick societies.
Diabetes: Sugar-Coated Crisis –
Who Gets It, Who Profits, and How to Stop It
gives effective social approaches that can stop the epidemics of
diabetes and many other long-term conditions. It’s full of ideas
for patients, families, activists and health care providers. It
analyzes the causes and cures of illness in ways you haven’t
heard, but will make you wonder, "Why hasn’t anyone said this
before?"
Richard Rubin, American Diabetes Association President for
Health care and Education, called my book, "Eloquent and
thought-provoking."
Dr. America Bracho, CEO of Latino Health Access, called it "A
compelling and inspiring resource for people, communities, and
health systems struggling with diabetes and other chronic
conditions."
And Tom Bodenheimer, MD, said
"...Sugar-Coated Crisis illuminates the true reality of diabetes
and provides cutting-edge ideas on its prevention and
treatment." Read
more reviews |
Table of Contents
Introduction
Prologue – Diabetes 101
Part I - The Profit-Driven Plague
1. Diabetes as a Social Disease
2.Toxic Environment: –Stress and Inequality
3. Toxic Environment Part 2 – Food and Inactivity
4. Medical System – Friends and Foes
Part II – Health as a Movement
5. From Shame to Strength
6. Self-care as a Political Act
7. Strength in Numbers
8. Taking it to the Streets
9. The Movement Takes Shape
10. Diabetes as a Turning Point
Self-help Appendix
Resource List
References
My book, classes, lectures, and consultations can help
individuals take better care of themselves, help communities
organize for wellness, and help health care systems adopt
better, more productive, rewarding and successful ways to work
with chronic conditions like diabetes. You can learn more from
the articles, class descriptions and discussions on this site. |
