The use of promotores de salud is rapidly growing in many low income urban and rural communities around the U.S. The public health literature reflects a general acceptance of the use of promotores and documents their effectiveness, primarily as outreach workers in the areas of cancer, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and maternal and child health. However, few studies have documented the effectiveness of promotores in improving the health outcomes of persons living with diabetes or as diabetes educators. Using data from the Promotores de Salud Validation Study, funded by the Division of Diabetes Translation of the CDC (DDT/CDC), this presentation will discuss the rationale and potential benefits of using promotores integrated as members of the diabetes care team in community health facilities. It will also address issues and challenges in working with promotores in terms of recruitment and training as well as their integration and acceptability by health care providers. Specific findings of the effectiveness of promotores in diabetes education based on patient's behavioral changes and clinical data will be described. Note: In this presentation, the term "promotores" or "promotores de salud" refers to lay health workers, community lay health workers, or health promoters.
Learning Objectives: 1. Effectiveness of promotores as diabetes educators based on behavioral changes and clinical outcomes of Hispanic persons living with diabetes 2. Roles, responsibilities, potential benefits of promotores as members of the diabetes care team in clinical settings 3. Issues and challenges related to integration and acceptability of promotores
Keywords: Diabetes, Lay Health Workers
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.