Relationships Between Sources of Health Information and Diabetes Knowledge in the U.S. Hispanic Population

Data from the 2007 Hispanic Healthcare Survey were analyzed to examine the relationship between health information use and diabetes knowledge in the U.S. Hispanic population. A nationally representative sample of 4,013 adults self-identified as Hispanics or Latinos was generated through stratified random digit dialing (RDD) and interviewed using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI). Results showed that receiving health information from health care providers, family and friends, newspapers and magazines, and the Internet was positively associated with diabetes knowledge. Getting health information from churches and community organizations, however, was negatively associated with diabetes knowledge. Use of television as a source of health information showed mixed results. Implications of these findings for diabetes interventions targeting the Hispanic population in the United States are discussed.