The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #40654

Dharma E. Cortes, PhD, Mauricio Gaston Insitute, University of Massachusetts Boston, 23 Fellsmere Road, Malden, MA 02148, 617-287-5790, Decortes@aol.com

This presentation will provide an overview of a study designed to assess knowledge acquisition about diabetes among Spanish-speaking Latinos through the use of easy-to-understand materials based on personal testimonial accounts. The main goal of this study is to assess whether easy-to-understand diabetes materials based on testimonies and delivered through non-print mediums enhance knowledge about diabetes compared to existing written informational materials. The study also examines the role of television and radio as mediums to disseminate information about diabetes among Spanish-speaking Latinos. This presentation will illustrate: 1) how easy-to-understand materials focusing on diabetes were developed using a participatory approach with Latinos who have diabetes; 2) how participants who provided testimonial information about their experiences with diabetes were involved in research activities leading to the development of informational materials; 3) how non-print materials compared to written materials in terms of consumers' preferences and knowledge acquisition about diabetes; 4) the impact of television and radio as health education outlets among Spanish-speaking Latinos. Finally, this paper will provide empirical examples and recommendations about how to address low health literacy issues among Latinos using a public health perspective.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• articulate the importance of using participatory approaches for the development of health informational materials for underserved populations;
• discuss why non-print materials might be an effective educational medium for individuals who have low health literacy levels;
• recognize the importance of using multiple educational tools other than conventional written materials to increase knowledge about health issues.

Keywords: Health Literacy, Latinos

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.