The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62978

Diana Harris, MA¹, Etienne J Phipps, PhD², Steven Sivak, MD³, Jessica M. Robbins, PhD⁴, Nadine Uplinger, MS, RD, CDE, LDN³, and Amanda Millar, BA². (1) Einstein Center for Urban Health Policy and Research, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Wister Tower Bldg, One Penn Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19144, 215-951-8137, harrisd@einstein.edu, (2) Center for Urban Health Policy and Research, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, One Penn Blvd., Wister Tower Suite 4442, Philadelphia, PA 19144, (3) Department of Medicine, Chair, Albert Einstein Medical Center, 5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141, (4) Ambulatory Health Services, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, 500 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

Health disparities in minority individuals with diabetes is a growing public health concern. Among African American women, diabetes has reached epidemic proportions, affecting 1 in 4 African-American women, age 55 and older. In this descriptive mixed methodological study, we examine some of the socio-cultural factors in the lives of African American women with type 2 diabetes that may influence self-care practices related to diabetes.

Forty African-American women between the ages of 45-70 with type 2 diabetes will be enrolled in the study. Individual semi-structured interviews are conducted, audiotaped and transcribed for rigorous thematic analysis. Consenting participants are interviewed about their knowledge and understanding of diabetes, experience with complications, and use of self-care practices related to their diabetes. Socio-demographic data, subjective views about their neighborhood and community environment, and medical co-morbidity data are also collected. The study explores the role of migration experience, neighborhood experience, nutritional practices and food traditions, and multi-caregiving responsibilities on diabetes self-care practices. We also test out the use of a neighborhood assessment tool coupled with structured observations of participants' neighborhoods to identify neighborhood resources of relevance to health and nutrition.

Preliminary findings and detailed case examples will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Describe culturally relevant migration, food and nutritional practices that influence diabetes self-care practices in an urban African-American female population.
• 2. Discuss the role of physical and social neighborhood environment as it pertains to diabetes management in an urban African-American female population through structured observations and use of a neighborhood assessment tool.

Keywords: Diabetes, African American

Related Web page: www.einstein.edu/urbanhealth

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.