Study finds high levels of diabetes distress among South Asian immigrants in NYC

For a study in BMC Health, PhD student Farhan Mohsin and colleagues examined the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes distress among South Asian immigrants in New York City.

Using baseline data from the Diabetes Research, Education, and Action for Minorities (DREAM) Initiative, the study explored how mental health, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and social support influence DD among individuals with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

Key findings revealed that over one in four participants experienced high emotional distress related to diabetes management. Poor mental health significantly increased the likelihood of diabetes distress, emotional burden, and physician-related distress, while higher HbA1c levels were linked to regimen-related distress. Additionally, individuals born in Bangladesh had lower odds of diabetes distress compared to those from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

“These findings emphasize the need to integrate mental health screening into diabetes care for South Asian communities,” Mohsin says. “Future research should examine the long-term effects of diabetes distress on self-management and health outcomes.

Mohsin, F., Wyatt, L., Belli, H. et al. Diabetes distress among immigrants of south Asian descent living in New York City: baseline results from the DREAM randomized control trial. BMC Public Health 25, 422 (2025).