Communication Breakdown: A Critical Assessment of Type 2 Diabetes Education Efforts Directed Towards African-American Students at a Midwestern University

There is a growing consensus among those within the health care community that more preventive measures should be taken to combat Type 2 Diabetes among African-Americans. In the case of Type 2 Diabetes, the illness is preventable if proper precautions are taken. Most health officials agree that lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical activity, contribute to Type 2 Diabetes. Even though prevention options are readily available, African Americans are reactionary in their method of retrieving information about Type 2 Diabetes, often waiting until their condition becomes unmanageable. Many attribute this mistrust of health care providers to the historical mistreatment of African Americans. Consequently, it is vital for African-Americans to receive Type 2 Diabetes preventive education through various venues, including university and college wellness centers. This project examined several strategies used by the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Wellness Center and offers recommendations on how to enhance health education programs that target African-American students.