Health wise women diabetes self-management project in Washington D.C

Background: African-American women in Washington DC have a diabetes mortality rate five times that of white women. The Black Women’s Health Imperative conducted an assessment to help guide the development of a culturally appropriate approach to promote diabetes self-management among these women.

Method: The project had three goals: 1) enhance community, clinical, and social support networks to address diabetes care and treatment needs of Black women in DC; 2) Increase health literacy, self-efficacy, and skill development in diabetes management among 150 Black women age 40 and over; and 3) Strengthen community organizational capacity through trained community health educators and self-help facilitators. Key informant interviews, focus groups and surveys were used to assess the barriers and challenges African American women have to self-managing diabetes. The Health Wise Woman Curriculum that was developed included family and community support through culturally competent Health Wise Women (HWW). HWW were trained as educators and facilitators to engage Black women to become empowered by better understanding and managing their diabetes.

Results/Lessons learned: Through the environmental scan and informant interviews, it was learned that Black women living with diabetes do not have a clear understanding or basic knowledge of what diabetes is, how it affects the body, and related signs and symptoms.  27 women were trained as Health Wise Women facilitators. 127 women were recruited as participant in the project across three community sites.

Conclusion: Culturally appropriate supports are necessary to reach this at-risk population. Using members of the community as HWW facilitates engagement of at-risk individuals.