African Americans in Alachua County are disproportionately affected by diabetes (Chun, 2010). Furthermore, diabetes leads to numerous other diseases and complications if left untreated and improperly managed (American Diabetes Association, 2018). This intervention will target African Americans with low incomes who have been diagnosed with diabetes. They will then be screened and selected by the presence of one or more adverse childhood experiences (ACE). The program will meet twice a month with alternating agendas focusing on diabetes education and ACEs. The diabetes education portion will be group discussions about the issues the participants face managing their diabetes with a provider present to give them advice as well as general education that may not have been explained in an effective way by other providers.
This intervention will primarily focus on the individual level of the CDC ecological model (CDC, 2020). The main goal is to help participants improve their ability to manage their diabetes and to learn coping mechanisms and mindfulness for past traumas and ACEs. The relationship level will also be utilized by building relationships in the group discussion where they will learn from each other and create a supportive enviornment. Since we will be working with participants who have already been diagnosed with diabetes, this will be a tertiary intervention aimed at improving quality of life.
This program will utilize a public health framework, specifically, when training the team to carry out the project. Trauma-informed principles will be used to train all members how to use a trauma-informed approach (SAMHSA, 2014). The program will emphasize diversity, inclusion, and equity by recruiting a diverse team of providers and counselors. Materials will be reviewed to ensure cultural competency and readability are appropriate. Success of the program will be determined using A1C measures at the beginning, middle, and end as well as a self-efficacy questionnaire administered at the beginning and end to determine if participants feel better equipped to manage stress, anxiety, and other issues caused by trauma.
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