Preventing Diabetes in a Minority Population in Rural West Virginia (WV)

Objective: To implement a successful pilot program for the prevention/delay of diabetes in a minority population in a federally-qualified health center in West Virginia.

Methods: New River Health Association (NRHA) has more than 30 years experience in developing community health interventions. Though interventions have not historically targeted African Americans (3.2% of the population in WV), diabetes is the 4^th leading cause of death in this population (WV Health Statistics Center, 1994-2003). NRHA provides care to more than 1000 African Americans and collaborates with the WV Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Coalition. Working with the WV University Office of Health Services Research, the WV REACH Coalition, and the WV Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, NRHA is defining a project to help prevent or to delay progression of diabetes in their adult at-risk African American patients.   Using the criteria of fasting blood glucose readings of 100-125 mg/dL, adult African Americans with pre-diabetes are being identified, contacted, and referred to one of several interventions. The process of developing this project, including barriers, will be discussed.

Results: African Americans in a federally-qualified health center in West Virginia are currently being screened for inclusion into a diabetes prevention project in West Virginia.

Conclusion:Successful implementation of a diabetes prevention program in a federally-qualified health center is possible. Outcomes will be reported later.