Diabetes Today is a community mobilization model intending to engage communities in describing the burden of diabetes and defining targeted interventions to reduce risk factors and complications of diabetes. Diabetes Today provides a structured curriculum for training health professionals, community leaders and others interested in alleviating diabetes in their communities. Diabetes Today is an accepted, appropriate model for the mainland; however, this model does not reflect the unique characteristics of the Pacific. In 1998 The Division of Diabetes Translation established a contract with Papa Ola Lokahi, a Native Hawaiian Health Planning Consortium, to convene an advisory committee and develop a Pacific version of Diabetes Today. The Expert Council- 15 members representing Hawaii and each of the jurisdictions and reflective of the ethnic diversity of the region- has provided leadership in formulating a Pacific Basin version of Diabetes Today. Focus Group interviews were conducted in each of the jurisdictions and data collected was used to develop the Pacific Diabetes Today. Pilot testing of the Pacific Diabetes Today curriculum was conducted in the spring and summer of 2000 in five sites- Pohnpei, Kosrae, Palau, Hawaii and American Samoa. The purpose of this presentation is to show how a western model can be adapted to meets the needs of Pacific communities for diabetes prevention and control programs where few culturally relevant resources exist. Specifically, we will provide information on benefits and risk in developing culturally appropriate materials, communication and relationships with diverse Pacific cultures and community partnership development.
Learning Objectives: 1) Describe strategies used to design and implement a Diabetes Today model that is culturally relevant and appropriate for western Pacific communities; 2) Identify ways Diabetes Today can be used to meet their unique, specific need to alleviate diabetes in communities
Keywords: Diabetes, Cultural Competency
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.