Strategies to Increase Program Collaboration to Reduce Pre-Diabetes Risk in African American Women

Objective:We present findings from a health assessment survey of a SC DPCP partner’s targeted population- African American women, and discuss appropriate strategies for future collaborative program planning to serve this population.

Methods: A total of 255 participants completed a cross sectional survey during the 2009 IMARA Tour. Descriptive and Chi-square statistics were computed using SAS 9.1 software.

Results: Median age of participants was 53.5 years. Most respondents were more than high-school educated (84%), unmarried (58%), employed (63%), homeowners (85.4%), and lived above 200% federal poverty level (62%). Most reported no financial (55%) or food (63%) worries in the past 12 months, rated their general health as good or better (81%), and 93% expressed satisfaction with life. Nearly 89% of participants were insured, could identify (93%) and had visited (90%) a personal doctor; yet 20% lacked access to care due to cost. Most respondents were overweight or obese (80%) and did not meet recommended levels of physical activity (73%) or vegetables intake (81%). Among participants who reported having pre-diabetes (24%) or diabetes (21%), only 58% met the recommended 2 or more A1C test per year. Most (78%) had taken a self-management class. Pre-diabetes was significantly associated with having diabetes (p<0.001), yet no difference in physical activity (p=0.38) or dietary behaviors (p=0.24) was found between those who reported pre-diabetes and those who did not.

Conclusion: Key future directions are needed to begin pre-diabetes prevention awareness interventions. The survey results will be used to begin conversation on objectives and potential for collaboration across chronic disease programs.