ON POVERTY, HEALTH, AND DIABETES: A CULTURE-CENTERED STUDY OF THE NARRATIVES OF DIABETES AMONG THE LOW-INCOME IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between poverty and health-related meanings, decisions, behaviors, and outcomes, specifically in the context of diabetes. The population focused on is the low income families in Singapore, which for the purpose of this paper, is defined as families with a gross household income of $2200 or lesser, or a per capita household income of not more than $550. The health condition of diabetes is explored specifically due to the increasing prominence of this disease, locally and globally. Yet, limited research on diabetes and poverty has been done in the local context. This paper will use the culture-centered approach to explore the low-income status of the family on health and diabetes of the individuals coming from such families, or of have the family as a whole. An introduction and background of the general climate in this area will be given; a literature review on the trends, determinants of health and diabetes, diabetes’ policies will be covered. Thereafter, the methodology explained, the findings presented, and lastly, the discussions and evaluations. This study is conducted based on interviews done with 39 respondents from low-income families with the income range defined above. Some of the interesting findings of this research include the strong emphasis placed on structural and social supports and constraints in terms of negotiating ways of living and everyday motivations. It is important to note that the participants narrated about diabetes under the larger framework of health. Hence, the overarching health narratives of this group of low-income community will be explored, which may also shed light on their management of, and prominence given to diabetes.