Health communication is the study of the way in which persons seek, process and share health information in talks with medical practitioners, family members, and in the media. Since the numbers of diagnosed persons has doubled in the Latin America and Caribbean region between 2000 and 2014 and will continue to rise, it is imperative that countries begin to think about how to intentionally and strategically use the communication to decrease the prevalence of this disease. Narrative stories were analyzed and common themes emerged. First, a patient’s cultural background influences a visit with a medical practitioner. Second, the media has both helped and hindered perceptions of the care for diabetes. Finally, patients rely on cultural practices, such as religious fatalism to cope with these stressful diagnoses