title: Decoding the Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic in Rural India.
abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an escalating public health problem in India, associated with genetic susceptibility, dietary shift, and rapid lifestyle changes. Historically a disease of the urban elite, quantitative studies have recently confirmed rising prevalence rates among marginalized populations in rural India. To analyze the role of cultural and sociopolitical factors in diabetes onset and management, we employed in-depth interviews and focus groups within a rural community of Tamil Nadu. The objectives of the study were to understand sources and extent of health knowledge, diabetes explanatory models, and the impact of illness on individual, social, and familial roles. Several cultural, socioeconomic, and political factors appear to contribute to diabetes in rural regions of India, highlighting the need to address structural inequities and empower individuals to pursue health and well-being on their own terms.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Population Medicine , University of Guelph , Guelph , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Little
authors.affiliation: b Department of Sociology and Anthropology , University of Guelph , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Humphries
authors.affiliation: c International Development Studies Program , Menno Simmons College, A College of Canadian Mennonite University, Affiliated with the University of Winnipeg , Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada.
authors.forename: Kirit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: a Department of Population Medicine , University of Guelph , Guelph , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Cate
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dewey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D060432:Anthropology, Medical; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D058872:Epidemics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Disease perceptions; India; explanatory models; illness narratives; rural populations; type 2 diabetes