Confronting the Diabetes Disparity: A Look at Diabetes,Nutrition,and Physical Activity Programs in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Abstract

Diabetes prevalence is higher along U.S.—Mexico border than in nonborder regions, and numerous community-based organizations are addressing this diabetes disparity through prevention and management programs. However, the nature, scope, and effectiveness of these efforts and programs are not well documented. This study aims at identifying key characteristics of diabetes programs in a Texas—Mexico border region with a predominately Hispanic, underserved population. A survey is administered to 84 community-based organizations in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV); 25 organizations respond. Nineteen programs related to diabetes and healthy lifestyle behaviors are identified in the LRGV. The majority of the programs are based on guidelines of national and state professional associations and agencies; target low-income and minority populations; are offered at no cost; and include program evaluation activities. Future research should examine the effectiveness, as well as the fidelity of the guidelines, of diabetes programs in the border region.

Keywords

diabetes disparities evidence-based program best practice Texas-Mexico border community assessment

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Ad Hoc Group of the American Public Health Association. ( 1987). Criteria for the development of health promotion and education programs. American Journal of Public Health, 77(1), 89-92.

Altpeter, M. ( 2006). Healthy aging briefing series: The basics of evidence-based health promotion programming. Retrieved February 23, 2007, from http://www.ncoa.org/content.cfm?sectionID=272&detail=1507

American Heart Association. (2007). Science and professional Web portal. Retrieved November 13, 2007, from http://www .americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200033

Cameron, R. , Jolin, M.A. , Walker, R. , McDermott, N. , & Gough, M. ( 2001). Linking science and practice: Toward a system for enabling communities to adopt best practices for chronic disease prevention. Health Promotion Practice, 2(1), 135-142.

Day, S. (Ed.). (2004). Nourishing the future: The case for community-based nutrition research in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Houston: The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston.

Huang, P. , Bensyl, D. , & Miller, E.A. ( 2006). Geographic disparities in diabetes-related amputations-Texas-Mexico border, 2003. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 55(46). Retrieved February 23, 2007, from http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5546a3.htm

Kahan, B. , & Goodstadt, M. ( 2005, May). The IDM manual: A guide to IDM (Interactive Domain Model) best practices for better health (3rd ed.). Toronto, Canada: Centre for Health Promotion, University of Toronto. Retrieved February 23, 2007, from http://www.idmbestpractices.ca/idm.php?content=basics-overview

National Council on Aging. (2006). Using the evidence base to promote healthy aging. Issue brief, evidence-based health promotion series. Retrieved February 23, 2007, from http://www.healthyagingprograms.org/content.asp?sectionid=92&ElementID=306

Pan American Health Organization. (2004). The U.S.-Mexico border diabetes prevention and control project: First report of results. Retrieved February 23, 2007, from http://www.fep.paho.org/english/publicaciones/Diabetes/Diabetes%20first%20report%20of%20Results.pdf

10.

Rodríguez-Saldaña, J. (2005). Challenges and opportunities in border health. Preventing chronic disease: Public health research, practice, and policy [serial online]. Retrieved February 23, 2007, from http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/jan/04_0099.htm

11.

Texas Department of State Health Services. ( 2007). Texas diabetes council. Retrieved November 13, 2007, from http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/diabetes/

12.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2000). State and county QuickFacts. Retrieved April 11, 2007, from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html

13.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2003). State and county QuickFacts. Retrieved April 11, 2007, from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html