Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117382

Jeffrey S. Hallam, PhD¹, Mary Jones², Yolanda Bateman², and M. Allison Ford, PhD³. (1) Center for Health Promotion and Health Behavior, The University of Mississippi, PO BOX 1848, 215 Turner Center, University, MS 38677, 662.915.5140, jhallam@olemiss.edu, (2) Children and Family Services, 412 Alston Avenue, Covington, TN 38019, (3) Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, PO Box 1848, 232 Turner Center, University, MS 38677

Type II diabetes is a costly chronic disease and one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In rural West Tennessee, Type II diabetes is a significant health problem that disproportionately affects African-Americans. The rate of diabetes for African-Americans is 71.1 per 100,000 compared to 27.2 per 100,000 for whites. Furthermore, there are limited diabetes management programs developed for African-Americans living in these rural communities. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to develop, implement and evaluate a diabetes management program designed specifically for African-Americans living in rural Tennessee. The intervention is being delivered in multiple counties in West Tennessee. The intervention is an intensive one-on-one approach, coupled with group physical activity programs that also encourage free-living physical activity. The intervention is designed to teach participants how to monitor their blood glucose and increase their efficacy to continue monitoring on their own, how to choose appropriate food items and to increase physical activity. The intervention also provides social support through interaction with a health counselor, physical activity leader, and the other participants. Results from participant pre- and post-questionnaires, physician records and selected physiological measures show increases in self-reported physical activity, healthier eating and decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, proper glucose monitoring and HbA1C levels. In addition, several participants report that drug therapy is no longer necessary to manage their disease. The results emphasize the need for culturally specific diabetes management programs. This program may serve as a model for effective diabetes management of African-Americans living in rural communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe three successful components of a culturally appropriate diabetes management program.
• Explain the impact of the program on the participant behavior.

Keywords: African American, Diabetes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.