Diabetes is a community issue: the critical elements of a successful outreach and education model on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Ingram, Maia Gallegos, Gwen Elenes, JoJean
Copyright Year	2005
Abstract	BackgroundDiabetes is reaching epidemic proportions on the U.S.-Mexico Border, and culturally competent diabetes education is not available in many communities.ContextPeople with diabetes often do not have access to regular medical care, cannot afford medication, and lack the community infrastructure that supports self-management practices. Self-management education and support have great potential to impact diabetes control in this environment.MethodsTo address this need, partners of the Border Health Strategic Initiative (Border Health ¡SI!) collaboratively developed a culturally relevant diabetes outreach and education program. The model included a five-week series of free diabetes education classes that assisted participants in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to be physically active, control diet, monitor blood sugar, take medications, and be aware of complications. Central to the model was the use of community health workers — or promotores de salud — to conduct outreach, participate in patient education, and provide individual support.ConsequencesProgram participants achieved significant improvements in self-management behaviors and HbA1c, random blood glucose, and blood pressure levels.InterpretationQuantitative and qualitative evaluation helped to identify the essential elements of a successful program, including partnership of providers, community diabetes classes, promotores outreach and support, linkage between diabetes education and clinical care, and program evaluation.
Journal	Preventing Chronic Disease
Volume Number	2
PubMed Central reference number	PMC1323318
Issue Number	1
PubMed reference number	15670468
e-ISSN	15451151
Language	English
Publisher	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Publisher Date	2004-12-15
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	This is a publication of the U.S. Government. This publication is in the public domain and is therefore without copyright. All text from this work may be reprinted freely. Use of these materials should be properly cited.
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Health Policy Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health