Empowerment-based support program for vulnerable populations living with diabetes, obesity or high blood pressure: a scoping review

Abstract

Background: The management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure is a major global health challenge, particularly among the most disadvantaged populations. Beyond the biomedical management of these diseases, comprehensive support that takes into account the peoples’ economic and social situation is fundamental. The objective of this scoping review is to create an inventory and an analysis of the different types of support for these chronic diseases among disadvantaged, immigrant or minority populations to contribute to a better definition and characterization of what should be global support for these vulnerable populations suffering from these diseases. Methods: A search of PubMed, PsycINFO, Sages Journals and Web of Science was conducted (between March and May 2021) for articles published between January 2000 and May 2021. Articles were selected after screening titles, abstracts and full texts according to our 5 inclusion criteria. Results: We included 16 articles. The diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure support programs described in these articles operate to improve physical and mental health and access to care. The approaches of these interventions are focused on the training and participation of people and the implementation of support actions adapted to the person. The majority of these interventions have a real attachment to the community. Conclusions: This review of the literature shows that support for people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity or high blood pressure is based on three pillars: empowerment, peer mediation and holistic and tailor-made support for the individual. The empowerment approach, which considers the capacities and resources of individuals and whose goal is to strengthen their ability to act on their health, appears to be entirely suited to the support of these chronic diseases. This review underlines the importance of moving away from a biomedical approach to a holistic approach truly focused on the person, their capacities and their needs.