Community mobilization strategies for reducing racial and ethnic disparities in diabetes: Lessons learned from the Bronx Health REACH 2010 Project

Racial and ethnic disparities in diabetes persist among African Americans/Blacks and Hispanic/Latinos. Efforts for effectively eliminating such disparities necessitates moving beyond individual risk-reduction strategies to population-based approaches that address broader social and environmental conditions. This includes engaging communities most affected to be key actors in improving such conditions. A qualitative case study was conducted of the Bronx Health REACH 2010 Project to examine community-mobilizing strategies employed to address poor nutrition among African Americans/Blacks and Hispanics/Latinos residing in South Bronx, New York neighborhoods. Transcripts from semi-structured focus groups (n=4) and in-depth interviews (n=9) were analyzed and encoded through a qualitative software program (HyperResearch) to generate themes. Participants identified several mobilization strategies for improving access to healthy foods within school- and faith-based sectors including: coalition building; participation of community and spiritual leaders; trainings among community members and partners; and advocacy efforts. Lessons learned and recommendations for galvanizing a spectrum of community partners and members in order to achieve greater impact on eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in diabetes are offered. Community mobilization strategies can empower community members to take control of their lives and catalyze community capacity-building that will ultimately ensure sustainability and eliminate disparities.