Health-related quality of life and success in chronic disease prevention programs

The objective of this research is to assess whether participation in community-based chronic disease prevention programs and success at enhancing one's clinical outcomes can help determine health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among the largely Hispanic population residing in US-Mexico border communities.

The data used is based on 1200+ participants in Alliance for a Healthy Border, a diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention program sponsored by Pfizer Inc. The initiative funds nutrition and physical activity education at 12 federally-qualified community health centers located along the US-Mexico border. After adjusting for age, gender, smoking, employment, physical activity, and chronic health conditions (diabetes, hypertension), among others, participants who were successful at reducing their BMI and their HbA1C levels at program end were more likely to report better quality of life. Compared with participants who were unsuccessful at reducing these levels, odds ratios (ORs) for reporting 14 days or more of poor physical health during the past 30 days was 0.54 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34-0.87) for those who reduced their BMI and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.31-0.82) for those who reduced their HbA1C. Corresponding ORs for reporting 14 days or more of poor mental health were 0.62 (95% CI: 0.4-0.97) and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.35-0.85). ORs for reporting 14 or more activity limitation days were 0.44 (95% CI: 0.23-0.85) for those successful at reducing their HbA1C levels.

The results highlight the importance of partnerships between the private and public health sectors, and of the adoption of community-based, culturally appropriate approaches to health education.