266492 Extending diabetes care interventions to address social determinants: Pilot results from the Latino Wellness, Prevention and Advocacy (LWPA) Project of New Jersey

Monday, October 29, 2012

Mariam Merced, MA , Community Health Promotion Program, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
Sandra E. Echeverria, PhD, MPH , Department of Epidemiology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ
Aracely Macias, MPH , Department of Epidemiology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ
Harriet Black, RN , Outpatient Diabetes Educational Services, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
Marlene Spina, RN , Outpatient Diabetes Educational Services, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
Frances Munet-Velaro, RN, PhD , Advanced Community Health Nursing, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Nursing, Newark, NJ
There are well-established guidelines for diabetes care that can significantly improve diabetes outcomes. However, for low-income populations, often the most significant barrier to appropriate diabetes care is socioeconomic in nature, not only diabetes related. The Latino Wellness, Prevention and Advocacy (LWPA) Project of New Jersey is a pilot diabetes intervention designed to improve diabetes knowledge, self-care, diet and physical activity among low-income Latinos. A basic premise of the project was that social factors needed to be considered in the design and implementation of the intervention in order to ensure project success. We present process evaluation results for the project, including the conceptual model guiding the intervention, educational approach, study recruitment, and the feasibility of addressing social barriers faced by project participants. We end with some recommendations for extending traditional health care interventions to address the social determinants that can shape health care outcomes.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
1. To describe clinical guidelines for appropriate diabetes care; 2. To discuss the connection between social determinants and health care interventions; 3. To determine the benefits and challenges in addressing social barriers in health interventions targeted at Latinos.

Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion, Diabetes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As the director of the Community Health Promotion Program I have overseen, designed and implemented many health promotion and intervention projects/programs. I have particularly worked with the underserved and unique Latino population of New Brunswick, New Jersey for over 20 years. My experience has given me great insight into not only how social and economical barriers affect this populations health, but also how these barriers transcend into the recruitment and participation of community health programs.
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.

Back to: 3401.0: Community, dietary behaviors and strategies to reduce disparities in the Latino community