This research project is in progress. PCORI will post the research findings on this page within 90 days after the results are final.

What is the research about?

Type 2 diabetes is a health problem that affects the way the body processes sugar. Diabetes can lead to serious health problems like kidney and nerve damage, heart disease, and stroke. The risk of serious diabetes-related health problems is especially high for Latinos who have low incomes.

People can manage diabetes with diet, exercise, and medicine. But making these lifestyle changes can be hard. Research has shown that patients have more success managing diabetes when they use programs that match their cultural, social, and language needs. Diabetes management programs try to meet patients’ cultural needs in different ways. But researchers don’t know which way works best for Latinos with diabetes.

In this study, the research team is comparing two programs for diabetes care in New Mexico. Each program is based on proven strategies for helping Latino patients with low incomes manage their diabetes.

Who can this research help?

Results may help clinic leaders, doctors, Latino patients, and friends and family who support them decide how to manage diabetes.

What is the research team doing?

The research team is enrolling 240 Latino patients with type 2 diabetes to take part in one of two diabetes self-management programs. Each patient names a support person, a friend or family member who gives them emotional or practical support, to take part in the study with them. The first program, called the Diabetes Self-care Support Empowerment Model, or DSMS, takes place at the University of New Mexico Hospital. The second program, called the Chronic Care Model, or CCM, takes place at One Hope Centro de Vida Health Center. Both locations serve many Latino patients with low incomes.

The DSMS program helps patients manage their diabetes by addressing their concerns and supporting behavior change. In this program, a diabetes educator leads nine hours of group sessions held over six weeks. Sessions include group discussions to help patients define goals for managing their diabetes. The diabetes educator follows up with patients to help them create a plan to meet their goals.

The CCM program focuses on culturally appropriate services and access to care. Patients and clinicians, such as doctors and nurses, work together to make decisions about behaviors or other changes that can help the patient’s diabetes, such as exercise. Patients and support persons take part in activities such as cooking and nutrition workshops, Zumba classes, and peer support groups. A health navigator talks with patients frequently to make sure they understand the plan they make with their doctor and feel good about carrying it out.

The research team is conducting interviews and focus groups with patients and support persons to learn about their experiences with each program. The team is surveying patients when the study starts and again 3, 6, and 12 months later. The surveys ask what patients know about diabetes and how active they are in managing their health. The team is also comparing patients’ blood sugar levels, body mass index, and depression between the two programs.

Latino patients and support persons are helping to design the research questions and give feedback during the study.

Research methods at a glance