Abstract Text: Diabetes currently ranks among the top ten leading causes of death in the United States.  While the disease afflicts 800,000 new people each year, it disproportionately affects African-Americans and Latinos.  To address this problem among African-American and Latino diabetics in Philadelphia, the Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Inc., developed a diabetes education program, Taking Control.  The purpose of this research project was to assess the effectiveness of Taking Control beyond the 1-year follow-up period.  The objectives were: (1) to identify the effect of Taking Control on weight loss, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and hemoglobin_A1C and (2) to determine the impact of social support on the participant’s ability to maintain successful changes upon completion of the program.  This study involved a review of medical charts of program participants from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.  A proportional sampling of participants from each of the District Health Centers was performed.  The data collected included hemoglobin_A1C, weight, blood pressure, total cholesterol, religion, marital status and documentation of annual retinal and foot examinations.  Assessments of the program after one year have shown improvement of hemoglobin_A1C, weight, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar.  This three-year follow-up evaluation process will provide information and recommendations that will further enhance aspects of diabetes self-management programs targeting African-Americans and Latinos.