Emory Latino Diabetes Education Program
In response to the growing number of Latinos in this country, the Emory-Grady diabetes team developed the “Emory Latino Diabetes Education Program” (ELDEP) to provide much-needed education and support to the underserved Latino population in our area. ELDEP was implemented in 2005 and addresses Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) and Diabetes Self-Management Support (DSMS) of Latino patients 16 and older with type 2 diabetes in a variety of models meeting the needs of the patients and the clinics.
Mission
To improve diabetes care for Latinos by providing diabetes training programs for people with diabetes and for the health care providers that care for them.
Program Goals
- To provide comprehensive and culturally appropriate diabetes education program in Spanish for Latino patients.
- To train and provide diabetes education materials to health care professionals and diabetes instructor and advocates (DiNA) who will in turn provide education and social support to Latino patients with diabetes.
Initial Classes
Initial classes are held monthly. Referrals to class are done by physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and educators. The program is announced in the local Latino media (print, radio and TV). The program curriculum follows the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) theoretical framework of seven self-care behaviors: healthy eating, being active, monitoring, medication use, problem-solving, and healthy coping. The class format encourages ongoing discussion and questions.
Education Materials
The educational materials used in the class include the “Guide for my diabetes control”, a “Viva mas y major con su diabetes bajo control” DVD, and supplemental monitoring and nutrition information.
Follow-Up
A monthly 1.5-hour meeting where a guest speaker conducts a 30- minute presentation. Topics include:
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Medications
- Diabetes complications
Participants have the opportunity to share experiences and ask questions regarding their diabetes care.
To date, more than 1,300 patients have participated in the initial session of the "¡Viva mas y mejor...con su diabetes bajo control!" Our data shows successful outcomes which include: a drop in Hgb A1C and blood pressure, an increase in preventive measures, and an overall increase in knowledge. These results have been presented and published at national meeting such as the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions and the American Association of Diabetes Educators Annual Meetings.
The clinics involved in our project are the Diabetes Clinic at Grady, International Medical Clinic at Grady, North Dekalb Clinic at Grady, North Fulton Health Center, 4 Corners Clinic – FQHC, Latin American Association, and Northeast GA Medical Center - Gainesville.
In 2013, the previous director of the program, Britt Rotberg, MS, RD, LD implemented the "Emory Latino Diabetes Education for Gestational Diabetes" (ELDEG). ELDEG is currently educating high-risk pregnant women with gestational diabetes in 8 clinics through the metro-Atlanta area. ELDEG will soon be implemented in local health departments throughout Georgia. Recently, the program has partnered with the Georgia Hispanic Health Coalition to adapt the current "¡Viva mas y mejor...con su diabetes bajo control!" ("Live longer and better...with your diabetes under control!") curriculum to the "¡Viva mas y mejor...prevenir la diabetes!" ("Live longer and better...preventing diabetes!"), which focuses on educating the community on how to prevent diabetes.
There is no cost to participate in the program. If you know of someone who has diabetes, would like to refer patients to the program or would like to volunteer, please contact Ina Flores.
For more information on Latino diabetes education programs, call 404-251-8976.