Diabetes Interventions with Asian and Pacific Islander Immigrant Communities of Seattle and King County, Washington: Lessons Learned from a Community Health Center

This presentation describes the challenges and successes of providing culturally and linguistically appropriate diabetes education, support and self-management interventions in the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities of Seattle & King County, Washington.

International Community Health Services (ICHS) is a nonprofit community health center offering affordable medical, dental, and health education services to a predominantly refugee and immigrant population, 85% of whom are API, of which 75% are limited English Proficient. The Diabetes Education Program provides individual sessions within clinic, as well as group level and community education activities for the following communities: Chinese, Filipino, Samoan, and Vietnamese.

Through collaboration with Public Health Seattle and King County and other community health organizations, ICHS developed and implemented a program with funding from the CDC's Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Program. More than 1000 unduplicated participants have participated in the group level program at ICHS and there is solid data from each intervention detailing that the daily behavior of participants has changed.

Lessons learned include: cross-training existing staff on diabetes education proved extremely beneficial and effective in retaining dedicated and qualified people; acknowledging traditional forms of medicine and having an understanding of their use and importance is crucial; including the diabetes education program in the federally funded health disparities collaborative at the clinic ensured staff and Provider support; finally collaboration is important, not only with other community agencies, but also amongst the diabetes education staff. An open atmosphere where staff can discuss challenges, ask questions, and offer suggestions is crucial.