Type 2 Diabetes Affecting the Hispanic Community

Type-2 diabetes has become an epidemic in our country, with nearly 30 million Americans diagnosed with the disease. November is National Diabetes month and research shows that a significant percentage of those living with type 2 diabetes are in the Hispanic community.

Latin chef and author Leticia Moreinos Schwartz has is a family connection and that’s why she’s teamed with Merck to work on a new documentary called “A Touch of Sugar”. Type-2 diabetes is a very personal topic, and as a Latina Leticia understands that there are some common challenges that Hispanics face across the country that are pretty much the same as eating healthy, exercising and working with your doctor on a treatment plan that’s right for you. The alarming fact is that almost 12% of the Hispanic adults in this country are already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. That’s what brought her to partner with Merck on this documentary called “A Touch of Sugar” which raises awareness about type 2 diabetes, especially among underserved communities.

It said that type 2 diabetes will affect more than 50% of Hispanic men and women in the U.S over their lifetimes. The documentary which is narrated by acclaimed actress, Viola Davis dives into the type 2 diabetes epidemic and aims to give people hope. As part of the release of the documentary “A Touch of Sugar” a campaign called America’s Diabetes Challenge has been launched. It is a campaign that is linked to the documentary and in the documentary along with the campaign Leticia shares her passion as a chef for healthy cooking with another Latin woman living in California and how she struggles to manage her type-2 diabetes.

“A Touch of Sugar” will air on A&E; on November 17th and on FYI on November 18, 23rd and 25th. Be sure to check your local listings for exact times, you can learn more about the film and America’s diabetes challenge at atouchofsugarfilm.com.