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Abstract
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic and complex disease that affects US adults 18 and older. Blacks are disproportionately burdened by type 2 diabetes compared to their White counterparts. Black men in particular face a number of factors that impact their health behavior. Limited research however has focused on the experiences of Black men managing type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine and understand the experiences of managing type 2 diabetes among Black men: the barriers they encounter and how they cope with living with type 2 diabetes. Using in-depth interviews data was collected on 25 Black men from a clinic in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of the barriers identified were lack motivation, lack of support from family and friends, lack of time, and side effects of taking medication. Some of the coping mechanisms identified were acceptance, support from healthcare professionals, religion, and support from family. The findings from this study have implications for healthcare providers and researchers developing and implementing health interventions targeting Black men with type 2 diabetes and their families.