Diabetological Education in Latin America

Abstract

Current diabetological education in Latin America reflects the characteristics of underdeveloped countries: low prevalence of IDDM; earlier onset age and presence of NIDDM in nonobese subjects; a special type of diabetes related to malnutrition; malnutrition itself; and, most of all, deficient medical care. Three other factors are also at work in Latin America: linguistic uniformity, which facilitates education; intensification of ur ban underdevelopment; and the short supply of diabetologists and other health team members. The latter two are definite hand icaps. Only four Latin American schools train diabetes specialists. Latin American diabetes patient education is carried out through - 130 courses and nine diabetes camps. Eight journals and a multitude of booklets distributed by 27 lay-diabetes societies pro vide additional information for literate diabetic patients. Much more is needed.