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Building Community Support for American Indian People with Diabetes

An Effective Practice

This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.

Description

The goal of the Building Community Support (BCS) for American Indian People with Diabetes project was to improve the health outcomes of American Indians living in Montana and Wyoming who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

The BCS worked towards achieving their goal by: 1) providing effective, community-based and culturally-appropriate self management programs and 2) offering community-based support and follow up services that encouraged and assisted participants in making changes that would improve their disease management.

The BCS provided extensive training to all diabetes staff, tribal health staff, and Community Health Representatives (CHRs) on diabetes, the Diabetes Self Management Education (DSME) curriculum, motivational interviewing and follow up support. DSME programs were offered to tribes and CHRs met with DSME participants at least once a month for follow up, motivation and goal-setting. In addition, people with diabetes were encouraged to attend weekly Talking Circles that provided support for self management.

Goal / Mission

The goal of the Building Community Support for American Indian People with Diabetes project was to improve the health outcomes of American Indians with diabetes.

Results / Accomplishments

Results from 30 participants from the Eastern Shoshone tribe were reported. Of these individuals, 57% had achieved some reduction in their weight, 57% had lower overall cholesterol levels, 50% had achieved a reduction in their systolic and diastolic blood pressures, 46% had lower triglyceride levels, and 34% had reduced their HbA1c levels.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council, Billings Area Indian Health Service, and Black Hills State University
Primary Contact
Rob Schurrer
Black Hills State University
1200 University St.
Spearfish, SD 57799
605-642- 6169
Rob.Schurrer@bhsu.edu
http://www.diabetesinitiative.org/programs/DIMT-WY...
Topics
Health / Diabetes
Organization(s)
Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council, Billings Area Indian Health Service, and Black Hills State University
Source
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Date of publication
Jul 2009
Date of implementation
2004
Geographic Type
Rural
Location
Montana and Wyoming
For more details
Target Audience
Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Additional Audience
people with type 2 diabetes
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance