Implementation and evaluation of an evidence-based chronic disease self-management workshop among API elders

Background: While available data suggest that Asian elders are healthier compared to other elder groups, disaggregated data indicates that older Koreans are at higher risk for diabetes and hypertension and Cambodians are at higher risk for heart disease than the general older adult population. Obesity and overweight are highly prevalent among Pacific Islanders, thus increasing their risk for heart disease and stroke. While evidence-based health promotion programs are accessible for mainstream older adults, few of these best practice programs have been conducted in Asian or Pacific Islander languages and are accessible to limited English proficient adults. Even fewer have been evaluated. Objective: To implement and to evaluate an evidence-based chronic disease self-management workshop in Chinese, Korean, Samoan and Cambodian communities. Methods: NAPCA partnered with five AAPI-serving community-based organizations in Southern California and Philadelphia during 2010-2012 to complete 24 chronic disease self-management workshops with 341 participants. Each workshop consists of six classes that cover nutrition, exercise, symptom management, and goal setting. The program was adapted by using bilingual/bicultural lay leaders and by using culturally relevant examples. Demographics were collected on 269 participants. A sample (n=53) of workshop participants completed both pre- and post-health status surveys. Health and demographic surveys were translated into Chinese, Korean, and Cambodian using the Consensus translation method. Results: The majority (78%) of participants were low-income, 50% reported having hypertension, 35% had diabetes and arthritis. A portion of Cambodian participants (30%) reported symptoms of depression or anxiety. Chronic disease self-management workshop participants reported better self-rated health, increased aerobic exercise, greater self-efficacy, improved mental and physical health, reduced pain and fatigue, and less activity limitation post-workshop (p<.05). Conclusions: This evidence-based chronic disease self-management program can be successfully implemented and adapted in Chinese, Korean, Cambodian and Samoan communities and remains effective in improving healthy lifestyle behaviors and health.