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
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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.
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