Racial disparity in the diagnosis of obesity among people with diabetes.

Studies have suggested that many of the estimated 30.5% of all adults, and 54.8% of adults with diabetes, who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater do not have a diagnosis of obesity. The records of 265 people with diabetes in the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) 2010 Charleston community were audited for race, sex, BMI, and a documentation of obesity, to determine the likelihood of a diagnosis of obesity for people with BMI of 30 or greater, based on race and sex. Significant differences in diagnosis were observed by race, with three times as many records of obese White people with diabetes containing a diagnosis of obesity as of diabetic African Americans. Disparities in prevalence of obesity based on a BMI of 30 or greater were observed as well, with a higher proportion of African Americans meeting the criteria. Studies suggest that these disparities may contribute to the increased burden of disease experienced by African Americans with diabetes.

A community-based participatory health information needs assessment to help eliminate diabetes information disparities.

This article describes the participatory research process, results, action plan, and implications of the community health information needs assessment conducted within the African American community in two South Carolina counties. The REACH 2010: Charleston and Georgetown Diabetes Coalition library program is a partnership among community organizations, public and health sciences libraries, and lay community health advisors. A planning committee studied digital divide issues related to health information, designed and implemented a survey, held focus groups, analyzed data, identified needs and assets, and formulated an action plan to increase the dissemination of diabetes information. Key survey findings show that older (older than 60) and less educated (fewer than 12 years of education) African Americans in Charleston and Georgetown counties lack skills to access Internet and library services and suffer disparities in health information. Based on assessment evidence, the community plans to increase Internet access points and provide a train-the-trainer program to teach people skills for using Internet and library resources to get high-quality information about diabetes and its complications. This process taps community resources, builds local capacities and technical skills, educates about health, and empowers participants as active partners in their own health and their community's health.

Reducing disparities for African Americans with diabetes: progress made by the REACH 2010 Charleston and Georgetown Diabetes Coalition.

Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH 2010) is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstration program that responds to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' goal to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health status by the year 2010. As part of REACH 2010, community projects were funded to develop, implement, and evaluate community action plans to improve health care and outcomes for racial and ethnic populations. This article describes the program and details the progress of the REACH 2010: Charleston and Georgetown Diabetes Coalition in reducing disparities in care. Approaches employed by the Coalition included community development, empowerment, and education related to diabetes; health systems change associated with access, care, and education; and coalition advocacy. Racial disparities were identified for 12,000 African Americans with diabetes in this urban/rural South Carolina community. After 24 months, significant differences that initially ranged from 11% to 28% in African Americans (when compared with whites/others) were not observed on 270 chart audits for A1C, lipid and kidney testing, eye examinations, and blood pressure control. Future efforts will focus on maintaining progress, eliminating other disparities, and identifying the contributions of each intervention in eliminating racial disparities.

People with diabetes: knowledge, perceptions, and applications of recommendations for diabetes management.

The purpose of this paper is to report results of the People with Diabetes survey conducted as part of the REACH 2010: Charleston and Georgetown Diabetes Coalition. The pilot data revealed that African Americans (AAs) (N=80) reported fewer A1c, lipid, and kidney testing, feet and eye exams, and less nutrition and diabetes self-management counseling during 1999-2000 than did Caucasians (Cs) (N=23). The survey was repeated in 2002 when data were collected from a convenience sample of 160 AAs and 150 Cs using the revised self-reported survey instrument. African Americans (AAs) were significantly likely to report that their understanding of results for the kidney function test were good as compared to Cs (P<.001) and were more likely to report receiving nutrition education (P=.003). Otherwise, there were no significant differences between AAs and Cs on the remaining items in the survey. Since REACH 2010 was actively involved in the AA community for 2 years between the pilot survey and the repeated survey, these results were anticipated and are also reflected in results of chart audits conducted within healthcare systems used by the same AA population.