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

Abstract #65229

Angela J Camilleri, MPH, MA¹, Edna L Bush, RN, CCM², Kenneth S Babamoto, PharmD, MPH¹, Glenn Diaz, MD², Joana Catalasan, MD², Vicki J Karlan, MPH³, Julia D Portale, MPH, MBA¹, and Donald Morisky, ScD⁴. (1) Community Health, Pfizer Health Solutions, 2400 Broadway, Suite 500, Santa Monica, CA 90404, 310-586-2516, angela.camilleri@pfizer.com, (2) QueensCare Family Clinics, 1300 North Vermont Avenue,Suite 1002, Los Angeles, CA 90027-0005, (3) Outcomes and Analytics, Pfizer Health Solutions, 2400 Broadway, Suite 500, Santa Monica, CA 90404, (4) Department of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, CHS 26-070, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772

Los Angeles County is currently facing a severe health care crisis. Several county hospitals and 16 primary care health clinics have closed with reduction in services, staffing, and clinic hours in those that remain open. One group directly affected by the county response is the local Latino community, representing over 4.2 million residents. Within this population, 38% of adults report no health insurance, 18% have diabetes, 36% have no regular source of care and 36% report poor to fair health. As the safety-net system is challenged, Latino patients must assume responsibility in reducing their risk for chronic disease and complications through behavioral lifestyle change and development of self-management skills. In order to support the community in a time of crisis, QueensCare Family Clinics and Pfizer Health Solutions implemented the 'Amigos en Salud' program in July 2002. This program is a community health worker (CHW) intervention study for newly diagnosed Latino diabetic patients living in Los Angeles. The 18-month, multi-site, randomized, controlled study provides in-language, literacy-appropriate, culturally-sensitive, stage of change-based individualized education and monitoring. The intervention is designed to support patients in achieving self-management skills, positive lifestyle change and improved clinical results. To date, over 195 participants have been randomized into the study with enrollment continuing until June 2003. Baseline results have noted deficiencies in awareness of diabetes diagnosis (31%), diabetes knowledge (80%), poor to fair self-rated health status (72%), and clinical values not meeting accepted standards. Final study results and strategy for long-term program sustainability will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify three modifiable health behaviors that may reduce diabetes risk.
• Describe three methods that may be used for program sustainability.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Diabetes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment