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Summary After being awarded the Kaldi's grant, I worked to gather diabetes-related, cross-sectional data for the Latino population of South St. Louis . A total of 161 individuals were surveyed at the La Clinica site, and measurements of Body Mass Index were taken. I found that 34% of the surveyed individuals do have diabetes, a prevalence 3 times higher compared to the US population. Through the La Clinica site, I was able to accomplish two goals. First, I determined the demographics and patterns of diabetes or pro-diabetic behavior in the community. Second, I developed a pamphlet to describe basic facts about diabetes and it symptoms, with tables and charts contextualized to a St Louis perspective. This included information about local, Spanish-speaking centers and health organizations. I then began to implement my long term plan of setting into action a series of talks given by professionals to the Hispanic community. I recruited two student volunteers, and Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispanoamericana was designated as the site to which individuals in the community were invited to participate in oral training sessions on diet/exercise, behavior change, the risk of getting diabetes, how to live with the disease, cardiovascular disease and its relationship to diabetes. WU faculty, as well as participants from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and other speakers from La Clinica, participated in the talks. All seminars were well advertised (including going from house to house to deliver pamphlets). Food, such as fruits, vegetables, white tuna, turkey and chicken, was provided to all attendees in order to promote healthy eating. All participants also received a certificate of attendance. Overall, the project was very successful. Some participants felt the project should have been longer; our main challenge was limited resources. However, individuals reported they are now more aware of their food purchases. Additionally, they have a clear understanding of the relationship between weight, lack of exercise, unhealthy eating habits, and diabetes. | | |||
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