247872 Strengths and challenges using community-based diabetes education models among ethnic minorities in Anchorage, Alaska

Monday, October 31, 2011

Gabriel Garcia, PhD, MA, MPH , Department of Health Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage
Shayla Compton , University of Alaska-Anchorage, Anchorage, AK
Elizabeth Posey, MPH Candidate , Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Background: Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in Alaska. Ethnic minorities are approximately 30% of the Alaskan population and have higher diabetes rates compared to Caucasians. To address this problem, the Anchorage Urban League in partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage, developed a pilot diabetes education outreach program designed to reach ethnic minorities in Anchorage. Methods: Outreach efforts to promote awareness and information about diabetes to diverse communities in Anchorage were facilitated from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. Community engagement included targeted outreach at culturally specific forums/activities which culminated in an intervention style health fair integrated into school registration for parents and youth. To help guide us in future diabetes prevention and control efforts, baseline data on diabetes and risk factors were collected via self-administered survey. Results: We completed 300 hours of outreach in 2010 to African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Alaska Native/American Indian, Asian and Pacific Islander communities; in which over 2,000 participants were reached through interactive education models at health fairs, faith-based forums, cultural/community celebrations, and school-based settings. Based on our survey of 135 adults, more than 40% of Pacific Islanders and Alaska Native respondents have been diagnosed with diabetes compared to 25% among Caucasians. Compared to Caucasians, ethnic minorities tend to have poor diet, lack physical activity, and be overweight or obese. Conclusions: Our experience in implementing this program confirms the need for more information and resources on how to prevent and manage diabetes to be disseminated to ethnic minority communities in Anchorage, Alaska.

Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify strengths and challenges implementing community-based education models and practical implications. 2. Discuss outreach efforts targeted towards ethnic minorities in raising awareness of risk factors and susceptiblity of type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I oversee the facilitation of the health education interventions during community outreach, and I am actively involved with the evaluation analysis regarding the Stop Diabetes project the study is based on.
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.