The role of religious leaders in health promotion for older Mexicans with diabetes.

Clergy in the Mexico play a major role in addressing the health care needs of their congregants. With qualitative semi-structured key-informant interviews, this study explored the views of ten male Mexican religious leaders (mostly Catholic) about their understanding of their role in diabetes health promotion. The major themes from the qualitative interviews emphasized the importance of open communication between church leaders and their parishioners, the role of the church in diabetes programs, and the unique position of religious institutions as a link between physical and spiritual aspects of health. Implications for diabetes interventions are discussed.