Overcoming barriers to reach Latino families: Low literacy newsletter series promoting a healthy lifestyle

Background: The rate of obesity and diabetes among Latinos is rising at an alarming rate. Traditional health classes usually provide information but do not offer the necessary tools and strategies to facilitate the behavior changes needed to reduce the risk of chronic disease. Furthermore, most printed health education materials available in Spanish are written at a high reading level and are not culturally appropriate, creating a communication barrier.

Objective: Develop a series of newsletters promoting nutritious cultural foods, physical activity, and strategies to facilitate change. To provide on-going support and motivation for a healthy life style.

Method: A series of newsletters on various topics such as diabetes, cholesterol, obesity and hypertension were developed at a low literacy level (5th grade) with an inviting format and ethnic graphics. Content was presented taking into consideration cultural foods, natural remedies and culture beliefs, as well as limited resources, environment, skills and psychosocial barriers. The newsletters were sent bimonthly for a period of two years to provide on-going support to families who had attended one of our nutrition education workshops.

Results: A phone survey was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention; 90% of readers reported making some dietary changes as a result of the information contained in the newsletters. They reported developing a sense of pride in the health benefits of their cultural foods and sharing the information with family members and neighbors. Readers expressed appreciation for supporting their efforts to keep their family healthy.