LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Medical students at Touro University Nevada are researching diabetes disparities among Hispanic communities, looking beyond diagnosis numbers at factors including income, education, household size, and health insurance.
Students Micah Kwallek and Giovani Gourial studied diabetes among Hispanic communities in Nevada.
They found an overall higher prevalence of diabetes among Hispanic and Latinx communities compared to non-Hispanic white communities.
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“Diabetes was associated with a lower socioeconomic status is what they would call it,” Kwallek said.
Insurance access stands out
One number specifically caught their attention: insurance.
“Because this is how patients get their annual visits,” Kwallek said. “This is how we get our medications.”
Gourial, a Las Vegas native, said the numbers reflect barriers he had already seen firsthand.
“The language barrier had been one that might hinder the communication between patient and physician,” Gourial said. “There were even some issues with patients getting to their appointments.”
Disparities increasing over time
Kwallek said what worries him is that the disparities do not disappear over the years but instead increase.
“And the trend is continuing. So it’s not something that’s getting fixed, right?” Kwallek said. “So usually when we see a problem, you would think like, all right, well, let’s fix this. Let’s take some effort. Let’s make sure something’s changing.”
Both students said their research is personal.
Their goal is to return to Las Vegas and serve the community they are studying.
Both students said the research is not ending here.
Their findings are now in the publication process, with hopes the data can eventually help shape how doctors better reach and care for patients facing those barriers.
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