A gender-based community participatory research approach to improve health equity in African American women

This project aims to improve overall health status and diabetes self-management of African-American women in Inkster, Michigan by: (1) Implementing a socio-ecological approach to disease management using social support, empowerment, and health literacy; (2) Improving access to and utilization of health care services and community resources to promote healthy lifestyles; and (3) Building community networks and increasing awareness by addressing gender-based disparities. A community needs assessment and gender-based analysis revealed that women are disadvantaged due to social determinants of health (SDOH). Psychosocial, economic, and environmental factors were identified as significant challenges in navigating the health care system and adopting healthier lifestyles that could prevent and control diabetes. Compared to Michigan, Inkster has lower income (19.8% vs. 10% poverty) and education (38% vs. 18% illiteracy), both of which are significant predictors of health. Multi-level socio-ecological approaches including empowering women with tools to make healthy choices, promoting social interactions, supporting healthy decision making, reducing access barriers to health care and partnering with community health workers (CHW's), were employed. A community-based participatory research method was used to address health inequities, specifically how to effectively improve diabetes-related health practices influenced by gender. Three approaches were selected: providing health literacy mentoring, increasing opportunities for access and use of community preventive services using CHW's; and providing messages designed to positively influence lifestyle and gender norms. Data will be analyzed for changes in attitudes and behaviors and assess the effectiveness of gender-based approaches as a promising method to improve diabetes-related health management and outcomes in women.