How Mexicans’ Emotional Responses to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Can Help Inform Culturally Congruent Health Care

Abstract

Introduction:

This article aims to increase understanding of how Mexican immigrants respond to learning about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a spectrum disease with a heavy burden among Mexican-origin people.

Methodology:

This article presents findings from qualitative interviews (n = 26) that formed part of a mixed-methods study of foreign-born Mexican immigrants carried out in 2019 to 2020 in southern Arizona to assess NAFLD awareness.

Results:

We documented common experiences of surprise, fear, and hope during study participation, all of which motivated research participants to reduce their NAFLD risk by seeking additional information, sharing it with others, and making lifestyle changes.

Discussion:

Understanding how these emotional experiences are tied to cultural and historical factors—including Mexico’s high rates of liver disease, participant’s limited access to health care, and the ability to address the NAFLD risk with lifestyle changes—may promote the development of more effective and culturally congruent care in this population.

Keywords

liver disease Mexican immigrants emotions health messaging structural vulnerability

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