The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42852

Heather Diaz, BA¹, R. Patti Herring, PhD², Susanne Montgomery, MS, MPH, PhD², Diane Woods, MPH, RN¹, and Elizabeth Holzhauser, MPH CHES². (1) School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion & Education, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909-558-8729, heathdiaz@netscape.net, (2) School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University, 10970 Parkland Avenue, Loma Linda, CA 92354

Compared to other racial/ethnic groups Latinos and Blacks suffer disproportionately from numerous health problems. In 2000, San Bernardino County, CA reported an estimated 91,971 diabetes cases. A disproportionate number of these cases were among Latinos and Blacks. In an effort to address the Healthy People 2010 goal of narrowing the health disparities among Americans, graduate students of the Loma Linda University School of Public Health (LLUSPH) chose to focus on diabetes. This article describes how the students collaborated with the local community to develop culturally relevant and sensitive diabetes self-management programs based on social cognitive theory. In order to best develop, implement, and sustain such programs a needs assessment was first conducted. This consisted of 2 windshield surveys, 14 key informant interviews, 2 focus groups, secondary data sources and a review of the existing literature. While Latinos and Blacks traditionally do not participate in health promotion programs for different reasons, both respondent groups agreed that programs offered often lacked cultural sensitivity and were offered in poorly chosen locations (inconvenience). The church emerged as a key location to provide future programs. For Blacks it is the nucleus of the family and for Latinos it seemed to play a significant role in compliance and motivation. The clergy was also found to be beneficial for motivating and encouraging compliance in both populations. By 'listening' to the community, students are helping to bring together community and service providers, thus putting the public back into public health.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the session participants will be able to

1.Discuss the relevance of developing diabetes self-management programs for Black & Latino populations as it relates to Healthy People 2010 goals & objectives for the nation.
• Recite at least 3 reasons why Blacks & Latinos do not traditionally participate in preventive health promotion programs, which must be addressed in order to improve treatment & compliance.
• Recite at least 3 strategies for recruiting and retaining Blacks & Latinos in diabetes self-management programs.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.