269189 Reaching Out to Elderly Latinos Living with Diabetes: A Self-Management Program

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Alejandra J. Gepp, MA , Institute for Hispanic Health, National Council of La Raza, Washington, DC
Vicky Cardoza, MPH , Institute for Hispanic Health, National Council of La Raza, Washington, DC
Madeleine Arritola , Multicultural Marketing Lead, Humana, Miramar, GA
Fernando Godinez, President and CEO , Mexican American Unity Council, San Antonio, TX
Britt Rios-Ellis, PhD, MS , NCLR/CSULB Center for Latino Community Health, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Enrique Ortega , California State University Long Beach, NCLR/CSULB Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation & Leadership Training, Long Beach, CA
Melawhy Garcia, MPH , NCLR/CSULB Center for Latino Community Health, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Background: The elderly are living longer, but not healthier. This is particularly true for elderly Latinos and other minority groups. Latinos are disproportionally affected by chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, compared with non-Latinos. Poor self-management of the disease and barriers associated with accessing high quality care (e.g., poverty) contribute to these inequalities. To address this need, the National Council of La Raza will present the results of a diabetes self-management ¯ Viviendo Saludable (Living Healthy) ¯ culturally competent educational program to increase self-management behaviors and improve the well-being of elderly Latinos living with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Focus groups discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted to assess community needs. An educational tool kit was developed based on these findings and used by community health workers during educational sessions. One hundred participants were recruited, provided biometric measures, and completed pre-post knowledge tests and a three-month follow-up questionnaire. The program was pilot tested with an NCLR affiliated community-based organization in San Antonio, Texas. Results: 71% of participants were females with a mean age of 72 years. 71% of participants reported that this was the first time they had attended a talk about diabetes. Participants reported significantly greater responsibility for their health after attending sessions including increases in knowledge and confidence in many crucial self-management behaviors. Discussion: These findings highlight the importance of using culturally relevant methods to deliver information on diabetes self-management to low-income elderly Latinos and provide promising indications of potential behavior change.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe a community-based educational model to promote self-care for elderly Latinos with type 2 diabetes using participatory research methods. 2. Outline a community-based model to produce culturally competent educational materials to reach out to impoverished elderly Latinos. 3.Discuss challenges to and best practices for addressing type 2 diabetes among elderly Latinos.

Keywords: Aging, Community Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I currently work at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR)as an Associate Director of the Institute for Hispanic Health (IHH). In this position, I provide leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of public health initiatives that support community-based efforts to reduce health disparities in Latino communities. I currently lead projects in diabetes and nutrition. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education and human resource development.
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.