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A Harvard Medical School Affiliate
Welcome to the Joslin Research Website
Joslin Investigator:
A. Enrique Caballero, M.D.
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A. Enrique Caballero, MD
Clinical Investigator
Associate Medical Director of Professional Education
Director of the Latino Diabetes Initiative
Joslin Diabetes Center
Assistant Professor of Medicine:
Harvard Medical School
1/1/2001 -
Racial and ethnic minorities in the United States suffer from type 2 diabetes and its complications at alarming high rates, according to A. Enrique Caballero, M.D. The rapidly increasing number of people from culturally diverse populations, the high rates of type 2 diabetes in these groups and the existence of diabetes care disparities between these groups and the White population contribute to a particular challenge in our current health care system—and these aspects form the basis for much of Dr. Caballero’s work at Joslin Diabetes Center.
The Latino Diabetes Initiative at Joslin Diabetes Center, directed by Dr. Caballero is a comprehensive clinical and research effort to improve the lives of Latinos with diabetes or at risk for the disease. This initiative integrates a culturally oriented clinical care and patient education program, community outreach activities, professional education programming and a Clinical Research program. Through this research, Dr. Caballero and his team have studied the presence and impact of multiple medical, psychological, socio-economic and cultural factors on diabetes care among Latinos. For instance, in a recent analysis of the data in the Latino Program, they found that 1 out of 3 Latinos believe that insulin causes blindness. The presence of this myth among Latinos was highly correlated with a lower adherence to their diabetes treatment plan, suggesting the need to address this and other common myths in patient care and education programs. In addition, his research has also identified that social and family support are very important in improving diabetes related outcomes in Latinos with diabetes. However, in order to tackle the challenge of health disparities in the country, not only do patient issues need to be addressed. This is also the time when health care providers need to become more culturally competent, in order to be able to interact more effectively with their patients. In addition, better access to the health care system ought to be provided to those that suffer from diabetes and its complications at the highest rates.
Dr. Caballero’s research interest through the Latino Initiative focuses not only in those individuals with diabetes, but also in those at risk for the disease. In a recent study, Dr. Caballero identified that endothelial dysfunction (inflammation of the inner layer of blood vessels), considered an early event in the development of atherosclerosis , is present in overweight Hispanic children and adolescents. These findings suggest that these young individuals are not only at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes early in life, but also cardiovascular disease.
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Caballero is a Clinical Investigator, Staff Endocrinologist and Associate Medical Director of Professional Education at Joslin Diabetes Center, as well as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is also the Director of the Joslin Latino Diabetes Initiative. He is a tutor of the culturally competent care module at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Caballero received his medical degree from the National University of Mexico Medical School, where he was awarded the Gabino Barreda Medal for being the top student in his program. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Endocrinology at the National Institute of Nutrition in Mexico. In addition, he completed a fellowship program in Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Lahey Clinic, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Joslin Diabetes Center and the Program on Clinical Effectiveness at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Selected References
1. Caballero AE. Diabetes in minority populations. In: Joslin’s Diabetes Mellitus. LW & W; 2005. 14th Ed. p 505-524.
2. Caballero AE. Diabetes in Hispanics or Latinos. Genes, environment, culture and more. Current Diabetes Reports. 2005; 5 : 217-225
3. Caballero AE . Metabolic and vascular abnormalities in subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes: The early start of a dangerous situation. Archives of Medical Research 2005; 36 : 241-249
4. Caballero AE. Building Cultural Bridges: Understanding ethnicity to improve acceptance of insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: Ethnicity and Disease 2006: 16; 559-568.
