Resource Details

Evaluation Of Culturally Appropriate Community Health Education On Diabetes Outcomes

Year Developed: 2008

Resource Type: Publication.

Primary Audience: C-Suite (CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, COOs, CMOs, etc)

Language(s): English

Developed by: Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (See other resources developed by this organization).

Resource Summary: This fact sheet provides the results of a study that examined the impact of health education utilization on HbA1c levels of diabetic patients at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC). The results showed that health education visits are associated with improved HbA1c levels, and thus are essential to patient health care. This demonstrates that culturally and linguistically appropriate health education services are integral components of health center care for underserved populations and serve as effective tools to reduce barriers to care and diabetes health disparities.

Resource Details: The study compared active and nonactive health education users on diabetes HbA1c or blood sugar levels, an essential measure of diabetes. This project also illustrates the importance of developing long-term federal and state initiatives and funding to fully support these essential and currently under-reimbursed services at health centers across our nation. Findings indicate more research is necessary to determine whether other related factors impact diabetes health outcomes, such as presence or attention of providers, number of providers available, and timing of health education service.

Resource Topic: Emerging Issues, Special and Vulnerable Populations

Resource Subtopic: Policy and Advocacy.

Keywords: Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AA&NHPIs), Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) , Education of Staff (e.g., Competency-Based), Reimbursement.