Diabetes literacy and self-efficacy screening and training project (LASST)

Several factors contribute to the development of diabetes and obesity among Latinos, including genetic factors, lack of access to healthy food choices, culturally mediated food preferences, and sedentary lifestyle. Additional factors include lack of health insurance, lack of a regular source of biomedical care, and barriers to communication with doctors. Latinos rely on home remedies and traditional healing practices when ill and they are less informed about health issues. These behaviors often lead to lesser participation in preventative behavior and poorer disease self-management. If this trend continues, the prevalence of diabetes among Latinos will continue to increase. The primary objective of the Diabetes Literacy and Self-Efficacy Screening and Training Project (Diabetes LASST) is to test the efficacy of a community-based intervention to improve self-management, perceived self-efficacy, and clinical outcomes for diabetes. The secondary objective is to screen diabetics and a partnered family member who is at risk for diabetes and chronic kidney disease as part of the care for diabetes. This study incorporates the current trend of involving pharmacists in educating individuals in addition to dispensing medications. It also incorporates those areas with minimal emphasis in the literature including community-based education, involvement of family members in the intervention, and clinical screening. Policy implications and social justice issues will be addressed.