Family and Community Factors that Influence Diabetes Interventions
Researchers are assessing two study groups in New York state to identify
the family and community factors that influence the prevention, treatment,
and management of diabetes. One group is from an inner-city, predominantly
African American community, and the other is from a five-county,
predominantly white, rural community. Both groups are medically underserved.
About 100 people with diabetes and 100 of their family members constitute
each group. People with diabetes are completing surveys about their health
status, medical treatment, self-care practices, and social supports. Family
members are completing surveys that indicate their knowledge of diabetes,
role in providing information and support to the person with diabetes, and
their own preventive self-care practices.
Researchers are concurrently examining community resources and barriers
that influence diabetes interventions. Resources include availability of
healthy foods, safe and convenient environments for physical activity, and
access to diabetes support groups and self-care education. Barriers include
few, if any, low-cost ways to improve lifestyle and insufficient number of
diabetes care centers and specialists. The results will guide researchers in
designing a comprehensive diabetes prevention and control plan which will be
pilot-tested in the two participating communities.
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