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The relationship between diabetes and health
literacy is the focus of an important binational study
featuring Laredo research conducted by a Texas
A&M International University faculty researcher and
his students.
Dr.SukoLee, TAMIUassociateprofessor,College
of Education, is part of the study sponsored by
TAMIU, Texas A&M University and the Universidad
Autónoma del Estado de México. The study is
collecting data in Laredo, Bryan-College Station,
San Antonio and México City.
In Laredo, Dr. Lee collaborated with Mercy
Ministries of Laredo. In May, he and students
conducted on-site research at the Mercy Clinic in
south Laredo.
“Regrettably, Mexican-Americans have a high
rate of diabetes and twice the rate of heart disease
than other ethnic groups,” Dr. Lee explained, “We
will be looking at the correlation between health
behaviors, health literacy, or understanding of one’s
health, and self-management for diabetics.”
Those selected underwent measurements
of height and weight, percent of body fat, blood
pressure, fasting blood work and a face-to-face
interview. TAMIU assisted in the interviews and
data collection. The results were sent to Mercy
Clinic for their information, Lee said.
Mercy Clinic provides vital health services
to the medically disenfranchised, the financially
disadvantaged, and most isolated people in the
community by providing equitable access to
healthcare, healthcare education, and much-
needed social services.
TAMIU Researcher
Looks at Diabetes,
Health Literacy Among
Mexican-Americans
TAMIU graduate Teresita De La Torre believes
that she is helping to frame the immigrant
experience around the world through the art of
photography. An Art major and Communications
minor who graduated this past December, she
recently presented her works in a solo art exhibition,
“Yo Soy Clandestino (I am Clandestine),” in Nuevo
Laredo, Tamaulipas, México.
De La Torre first reached for her camera to
document the immigrant experience when she
traveled to Italy. She said she was inspired to
document this particular group after talking to
street vendors in Italy. An Italian there told her that
immigrants and Africans go to Italy and take away
jobs from native Italians.
The comment prompted her to become
“nostalgic” for the U.S., because she’s heard the
same thing said in the U.S. She noted there are
those who believe Mexicans go to the U.S. merely
to take away jobs from U.S. citizens. Comments
such as this are of interest to her, she says, because
she is an immigrant and has lived most of her life
in Laredo.
And so began a photographic series featuring
street vendors, the majority immigrants. From
TAMIU Student Frames
Experience Through Glo
Dr. Suko Lee