“Diabetes and Healthy Eyes Toolkit:” A community-based approach for educating Hispanics/Latinos about diabetic eye disease

Diabetes now affects nearly 26 million people in the United States. All people with diabetes are at risk for diabetic eye disease (DED), a leading cause of vision loss and blindness. Visual impairment and blindness can have a negative impact on employment, mobility, and overall quality of life. Hispanics/Latinos experience disproportionate prevalence rates of diabetes and DED. The Diabetes and Healthy Eyes Toolkit was developed by the National Eye Health Education Program to help address health disparities by providing materials developed for populations highest at risk for vision loss due to DED.

The Toolkit, available in English and Spanish, provides community health workers (CHWs) with detailed guidance and instructional tools for educating people with diabetes about DED. The Toolkit features a flipchart with colorful graphics for use in small group settings, a comprehensive module that provides background information and activities, and a full-color booklet about the importance of proper eye care for participants. The content is based on the Health Belief Model and addresses people's beliefs about their susceptibility to DED, the severity of vision loss, and how they can act to protect their sight.

CHWs who pilot-tested the Toolkit indicated that the information is easy to follow, reading levels are appropriate, and language is culturally sensitive. They also said the Toolkit will fill a gap by providing education about DED. The Toolkit is now being distributed nationwide. Impact of the educational sessions is being gauged through pre- and post-tests administered to participants and an evaluation form for CHWs.