SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADULTS WITH DIABETES, PART 1 - THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Diabetes mellitus affects African Americans in disproportionate number s relative to whites. Proper management of this disease is critical be cause of the increased morbidity and mortality associated with poor di abetes management. The role of social support in promoting diabetes ma nagement and improved glycemic control among African Americans is a li ttle-explored area. This article, the first in a two-part series, prov ides a theoretical framework for examining the relationship between so cial support and glycemic control among African-American adults.