Pasos Adelante Program

Overview

Overweight and obese Hispanics are at risk for heart disease and diabetes. Yet, many in this population do not always recognize they can prevent these chronic diseases.¹ A wellness program called Pasos Adelante (Steps Forward) uses community health workers to help Mexican-Americans take steps to prevent heart disease and diabetes. Located on the US-Mexico border, the program reaches local residents who have a greater risk of developing these diseases.²

Research Question

Researchers at the University of Arizona Prevention Research Centerexternal icon (PRC) tested the effectiveness of the Pasos Adelante program for Mexican-Americans who want to reduce their risk of heart disease and diabetes. They also asked, “What role do community health workers play in recruiting participants who may not recognize they can change behaviors to help prevent them from getting heart disease and diabetes?”

Study

The study used questionnaires and lab tests to assess participants’ health. These assessments were done at three points: before a 12-week program, after the program, and 3 months later to see if the results had lasted. Between 2005 and 2008, 327 people enrolled in the Pasos Adelante program. The program included sessions on chronic disease prevention by focusing on physical activity and nutrition. These sessions, delivered by community health workers, included walking groups.

Of those enrolled, 217 participants completed all 3 of the assessments. The participants were primarily married Hispanic women born in Mexico and not educated beyond high school. More than half of participants were covered by health insurance, including Medicare. More than 61% of participants reported a family history of diabetes and about 21% reported being diagnosed with diabetes. Most participants were overweight or obese at the beginning of the study.

Community Involvement

Residents of Douglas, Arizona, were concerned about the high rates of diabetes in their community. They approached the University of Arizona, College of Public Health and have worked together to address diabetes prevention and control. Three community health workers who were long-term community residents recruited participants for the study during local health fairs. These workers played a key role in training participants by giving lessons in healthy eating, walking, and fostering support from the community.

Bottom-line Impact
During these studies, participants showed:

• Decreased body mass index.
• Reduced waist and hip measurements.
• Lowered blood pressure.
• Reduced total cholesterol.

The PRC study showed the participants made changes in their lifestyle behaviors and had a better understanding of what put them at risk for diabetes.
Participants reported:

• Liking the support of class members.
• Feeling better prepared to prevent or manage diabetes.

Three-months following the study, researchers found that the measures had not worsened in a significant way and that glucose levels had improved.

Next Steps
Today, Pasos Adelante has expanded north to urban Arizona and south to Sonora, Mexico, where participants may improve their diets with healthy foods and participate in fitness activities organized by the community. The PRC researchers are reviewing a modified version of Pasos Adelante for Mexican participants, called Meta Salud (Health Goals). Health Goals is a new study for diabetics receiving services at health clinics within the Sonora Ministry of Health and El Colegio De Sonora (The College of Sonora). The goal of the new study is to determine the usefulness of the Health Goals model across the United States, Mexico, or other nations with community health workers.

Learn more:

• Pasos Adelante curriculum in Spanish and Englishexternal icon
• Effectiveness of the Pasos Adelante Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Program in a US-Mexico Border Community, 2005–2008

References

¹ Christian AH, Rosamond W, White AR, Mosca L. Nine-year trends and racial and ethnic disparities in women’s awareness of heart disease and stroke: an American Heart Association national study. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2007;16(1):68–81.

² Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL, Curtin LR. Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999–2008. JAMA. 2010;303(3):235–41.