Why Should a Diabetic Epidemic Be a Serious Concern to Us? - Essay Sample

Introduction

Diabetes should be of serious concern to us because for one it causes gender inequality and parity in a way, women are greatly disadvantaged. Reports indicate that the prevalence of diabetes around the world has risen to a number higher than 70 million (Hannan, 2009). Also, 55 percent of diabetic deaths are in women (Hannan, 2009). That has led to other problems affecting women, like poor access to services and support. Another reason why diabetes should be of serious concern is that diabetes leads to other diseases. Research indicates that among the diseases that result from diabetes is coronary heart disease.

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Diabetes affects the social life of people, especially women. Stigma is the main instrument that would negatively affect the social status of females. In some countries, women and girls would face stigma and discrimination upon synonymy of their diabetic status. In connection with the social aspects of their lives, women with diabetes may also live with poverty. That is, their economic life would be greatly affected. Because of the social stigma, they would risk not getting married or getting divorced and that would undermine their economic support (Hannan, 2009). They would also be forced to use their meagre earnings to purchase drugs and seek treatment. Another aspect of life that is affected by diabetes prevalence is access to support and services. Given that women are mostly dependent on men in terms of economic decisions, it strains accessibility of services, activities for prevention and diabetes services (Hannan, 2009).

Based on the Articles, What Do You Consider to Be the Most Important Predisposing Factors That Result in Diabetes in Women?

I think that poor nutrition and poor lifestyles are the most important predisposing factor that results in diabetes. That can be supported by the fact that the rise of type 2 diabetes among adolescents could greatly be accredited to the increase in adolescent obesity in the United States (Hannan, 2009). People have little or no time to engage in activities that would improve their wellbeings, like exercises and healthy eating. Food scarcity plays a major role in malnutrition and consequently an increased prevalence of diabetes. In cases where people eat fast with an unbalanced diet, there is an increased chance of diabetes prevalence (Hannan, 2009).

How might gender norms, cultural expectations regarding the roles of men and women, affect the prevalence, perception, and treatment of diabetes?

In many countries, the dependency of women on men is high (Hannan, 2009). Therefore, they have limited and access to resources and treatment. That is also tied to the fact that women would be prone to poor nutrition and lower standards of living, increasing the risk of getting diabetes. The Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) (Hannan, 2009), reported that within a few years of diabetic onset, 95 percent of women had been deserted by their husbands (Hannan, 2009).

Reference

Hannan, C. (2009). Women, gender equality, and diabetes. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 104(Supplement).