Community-Based Diabetes Care for Korean American Immigrants

Overview

The primary aims are to test the effectiveness of the self-help DM intervention (SHIP-DM), a comprehensive, culturally tailored DM management intervention, in improving glucose outcomes; To determine the effectiveness of the SHIP-DM in KAI with type 2 DM in improving self-care skills and psycho-behavioral outcomes related to DM control, to develop tangible infrastructures for the dissemination of valid and effective education materials to a wider population of KAI with type 2 DM in the US (e.g., audio-visual education materials, web-based intervention materials, mobile telephone-based intervention materials) and to explore the feasibility and acceptability of each dissemination module, utilizing the delayed intervention group participants. The secondary aims are to obtain preliminary cost-effectiveness data related to the proposed intervention, including cost estimates for this type of DM intervention, and to establish a systematic, long-term dissemination plan, including documenting effective methodologies, to facilitate faster translation of research findings and products to direct consumers in non-research settings.

Inclusion Criteria 1. Self-identified as a first generation Korean American 2. Type 2 diabetes 3. Age 30-75 years 4. Resides in Washington-Baltimore area 5. Self-identified with DM and HbA1c \>= 7.0 % within 6 months of screening 6. Expresses willingness to participate in all aspects of the study over its full course Exclusion criteria 1. Unable to give informed consent 2. Physical or mental health conditions that could limit active participation in the study (e.g., blindness in both eyes, severe immobility, psychiatric diseases) 3. Hematological condition that would affect A1C assay, e.g., hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia 4. Past experience in diabetes group education