186954 Importance of Family Health History as a Risk Factor and Prevention Strategy for Type 2 Diabetes among African Americans and Latinos

Wednesday, October 29, 2008: 9:30 AM

Carlos Sanchez, MD , Jane Addams College of Social Work, Midwest Latino Health Research Training and Policy Center, Chicago, IL
Jose O. Arrom, MA , Midwest Latino Health Research, Training, and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Elena Navas-Nacher , Midwest Latino Health Research, Training, and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Aida L. Giachello, PhD , Midwest Latino Health Research, Training, and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Background: In 2002, the CDC Office of Public Health Genomics and Surgeon General proposed an initiative to increase awareness of family history as a major risk for common chronic diseases such as diabetes. Family history may be associated with risk awareness and risk-reducing behaviors; however, few local studies involve African Americans (AA) and Latinos. Purpose: Highlight the importance of family health history as risk factor, confirming the use of findings of a local community survey conducted among AA and Latinos with type 2 diabetes in southeast Chicago communities. Methods: A randomized bilingual English-Spanish telephone survey was conducted by the Center. A sample of 961 out of 7,700 telephone numbers was selected from southeast Chicago neighborhoods. Respondents were asked if they had Type 2 diabetes, their family history of diabetes, other risk factors and lifestyle practices, and self-management strategies. The survey was analyzed using SPSS. Results: 57.0% of respondents were AA and 27.7% Latino. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 13% for AA and 10.9% for Latinos. AAs and Latinos with combined high and moderate familial risk of diabetes were more likely to report a diagnosis of diabetes (Odds Ratio (OR): 4.5, 95% CI: 2.7, 7.3; OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.6, 6.6, respectively) then those with average risk. Implications: Sharing local assessment findings with local community coalitions may help to develop public health initiatives to identify persons with diabetes risk and promote family history as a prevention behavior change strategies for and with African Americans and Latinos with diabetes.

Learning Objectives:
Recognize the importance of genetics and family health histories List benefits of family health history for diabetes prevention and behavior change Demonstrate the application of diabetes family history data to local planning efforts

Keywords: Chronic Diseases, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: this is analysis funded by the CDC REACH 2010/US Intiative.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.