Support Groups and Photovoice.
Many interventions have been made by government officials and national organizations focused on health, physical activity, and nutrition. But there is an accessible component that can help decrease diabetes with Latinx’s in San Antonio through the use of photovoice.
Photovoice is a way for a community to “voice” their perspective on the concerns and strengths by first identifying needs, representing them, and then highlighting them to inform policy makers, enhance community participation, and empower the community. In relation to diabetes and obesity; photovoice has been used for Type 1 diabetes in adolescence, Type 2 diabetes in older adults in rural counties, and to assess healthy eating habits with adolescence to help policymakers develop policies that will serve the needs identified by the communities (Fritz, 2015; Necheles et al., 2007; Yankeelov et al., 2015; Yi-Frazier et al., 2015).
Common themes consisted of diabetic care/management (scheduling, medication, diet, exercise, etc.), personal and community resilience, support systems (groups, family, and friends), life with diabetes, and environment (infrastructure and access to healthy foods at stores) (Fritz, 2015; Necheles et al., 2007; Yankeelov et al., 2015; Yi-Frazier et al., 2015).
Results have shown an engagement and understanding from researchers and policymakers to better assist individuals with diabetes and adjust or develop policies based on photovoice presentations (Fritz, 2015; Wang & Burris, 1997; Yankeelov et al., 2015).