Washington, DC — Today the National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA)– the leading national organization working to improve the lives of Hispanic older adults, their families, and caregivers– hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill entitled “The Diabetes Wave: Working Together to Turn the Tide” to discuss and seek solutions to the disparities in diabetes that confront diverse elders across the country.

Speakers included Congressional Diabetes Caucus members, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA, 34) and Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D, TX-20); Dr. Clive O. Callender, MD, one of the foremost specialists in organ transplant medicine in the country; and Latino Health Communications President Cecilia Pozo Fileti, MS, RD, FADA, a leader in diversity initiatives that bridge food, science, and health across cultures.

At the briefing NHCOA also presented the findings of a culturally and linguistically appropriate and age-sensitive public health intervention, Salud y Bienestar (Health and Well-Being), a program sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Walmart Foundation to help Hispanic older adults and caregivers prevent and manage their diabetes. To access and download information about the program, visit NHCOA’s E-Learning Center.
Below are NHCOA President and CEO Dr. Yanira Cruz’s prepared remarks:

“The statistics are alarming-every 17 seconds someone is diagnosed with diabetes[1]. It is very likely that this person is from a diverse community, and even more so, that she or he is an older adult.

“When we talk about diabetes, the biggest concerns often times isn’t the diagnosis itself, but the complications and ramifications it has for the patient, the patient’s family, the health care system, and the workforce at-large.

“Having diabetes isn’t an isolated condition- rather it impacts every part of a person’s life – from their daily routine and eating habits to their productivity in the workplace and economic security.

“This is no more different or traumatic for diverse elders, particularly Hispanics and African Americans, who are 66% more likely and 77% more likely, respectively, to develop diabetes throughout their lives[2].

“When NHCOA conducted the research that would lead to the development and implementation of the Health and Well-Being, or Salud y Bienestar program, we uncovered several factors that impact effective diabetes management among Latino seniors. The complete study can be found online at NHCOA’s E-Learning Center at elearning.nhcoa.org.

“Today, I’d to focus on three that were key to the success of Salud y Bienestar and that set it apart. First is the level of family involvement in seniors’ daily lives, particularly their health care. Hispanic older adults who receive support from their relatives are more likely to manage their condition successfully as opposed to elders who lived alone or isolated.

“A second factor is the impact of nutrition, as there is a strong cultural connection to food and cuisine in the Hispanic community. Thirdly, is presence of cultural and linguistic competency and age sensitivity within the health provider setting. Personalismo, which is the establishment of a personal, friendly bond beyond a professional relationship, is key to a Hispanic patient’s diabetes management.

“Therefore, it was with a science-based approach that focused on behavioral change, age sensitivity, and cultural and linguistic competency that Salud y Bienestar was developed with underwriting from the CDC and support from the Walmart Foundation.

“The objectives of the program were to reduce diabetes health disparities between Hispanic and non-Hispanic adults in the U.S. by helping delay the onset of diabetes among high-risk Hispanics; preventing the development of diabetes complications among those who already have the condition; and improving the quality of care for Hispanic seniors with diabetes.

“NHCOA also developed a Cultural Competence Course to address the existing gap in the health care provider-Hispanic patient relationship, which can also be found in the E-Learning Center on NHCOA’s website.

“Salud y Bienestar was implemented in four sites across the country at the grassroots-level, focusing on outreach and education through promotores de salud or lay health workers, who work for community-based organizations that are members of NHCOA’s Hispanic Aging Network.

“The promotores de salud often become the support system for seniors who are more isolated, teaching and reminding them how to prevent or manage their diabetes correctly through exercise routines and proper nutrition. They also can serve as a substitute family and a natural link between patients and health care providers, by ensuring seniors’ are treated in culturally and linguistically and age-sensitive way.

“After four years of implementation, we conducted a data analysis to gauge the effectiveness of the program among Hispanic older adults with or without diabetes, and promotores de salud, as well as to understand the characteristics of the program participants.

“Detailed pre and post-tests were performed on three main indicators- knowledge on diabetes, its risk factors, and diabetes prevention and control strategies. We also included data on the promotores de salud and analyzed the change of diabetes knowledge after they received program training.

“Overall, there was a positive change in knowledge of the three main indicators, especially as it referred to control and prevention. In one site, the change in knowledge for this indicator was a whopping 70%.

“However, the biggest takeaway was the program’s potential to be replicated on a larger scale to serve more Hispanic communities across the country, especially as they become the fastest-growing aging demographic in the country.

“It is crucial to invest in public health interventions like Salud y Bienestar that eliminate health iniquities to ensure the U.S. aging population is able to age in the best health possible.

Moreover, as we look toward the Reauthorization of the Older American Act, there are adjustments that can be made to Title III Parts C and D, particularly in terms of nutrition and meals services to reduce health disparities and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate nutrition education and services.