As compared to Caucasian Americans, African-Americans are at greater risk for developing diabetes. A lay health advisor approach has been shown to be an effective strategy to address health issues in African-American communities. This paper will discuss an evaluation of the process used to train a group of lay health advisors concerning risk factors and prevention strategies related to diabetes among African-Americans residing on the eastside of Detroit, Michigan. The lay health advisors are participants in the East Side Village Health Worker Partnership (ESVHWP) which is affiliated with the Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since 1996. The partnership is comprised of community members, community-based organizations, health care agencies, and an academic institution, and focuses on addressing social determinants of health for women and children. Diabetes was identified by the Village Health Workers as a major area of concern in their community. A proposal was developed to address individual and community level factors associated with the risk of diabetes and subsequently funded by the Michigan Women's Foundation. Topics in the training focused on diabetes education and barriers and facilitators for healthy eating and physical activity at the individual, interpersonal and community level. The diabetes risk reduction training curriculum was designed to involve feedback from participants throughout the course of the training. Multiple methods were used to evaluate training and assess participants' satisfaction and knowledge regarding relevant topics including a short questionnaire, interactive games, program planning activities, case studies, photovoice, and participant observation.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to: 1. Describe process used to assess the effectiveness of a diabetes prevention training program for lay health advisors 2. Discuss how multiple methods can be used in program evaluation. 3. Discuss how to involve lay health advisors in program planning and evaluation
Keywords: Lay Health Workers, Community-Based Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.