Community organization to reduce the risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes among low-income African-American women.
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is epidemic among African-American women in the United States; reports of its prevalence among African Americans range from 50% to 60% higher than among whites. African Americans also incur higher rates of diabetes-related complications such as blindness, end-stage renal disease, and amputations. Data indicate that non-insulin-dependent diabetes among African Americans is associated with lower socioeconomic status and with obesity. Because obesity has been hypothesized as contributing to the growing numbers of non-insulin-dependent diabetics among African-American women, new strategies are urgently needed to promote weight loss in this population. Community organization can broaden health education and facilitate behavior change toward development of life- and self-mastery skills. Specific strategies of this approach include (1) integrating community values into health messages, (2) facilitating neighborhood "ownership" and decision-making, (3) utilizing existing formal and informal networks, and (4) empowering individuals and community. Community organization may be a promising strategy among low-income minority communities to reduce the risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes by promoting changes in dietary patterns, because it ensures that the health messages and programs that emerge will be consistent with existing sociocultural norms and beliefs.
Auslander
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George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130.
Haire-Joshu
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Houston
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Fisher
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D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D003256:Community Participation; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors