NHCOA Expands Diabetes Education Program in Dallas Latino Community to Promote Health & Well-Being

NHCOA trains new group of Dallas-based promotores de salud to conduct diabetes educational outreach, particularly among Hispanic older adults

Dallas, TX— The National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA)—the leading national organization working to improve the lives of Hispanic older adults, their families, and caregivers— is strengthening and expanding its diabetes education campaign efforts by training a new group of more than 20 promotores de salud (lay health workers) to conduct local linguistic and culturally sensitive outreach to Latino seniors and families in Dallas, Texas.

Salud y Bienestar (Health and Well-Being) was created in 2005 and sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program’s expansion is currently supported by the Walmart Foundation. The program’s goal is to inform and educate Latino seniors, their families, and caregivers on how to prevent and control diabetes and its related complications in a way that is both culturally and linguistically sensitive and age appropriate. Last year, over a quarter of older Americans ages 65 and older had diabetes, and the disease’s impact transcends the patient’s medical complications, representing large direct medical costs.

Whether it is diagnosed or undiagnosed, diabetes also hurts the economy due to disability, lost productivity, and premature mortality. In 2007 alone, the total cost of diabetes totaled $218 billion. Moreover, diabetes disproportionately affects diverse communities, especially Latinos. Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, the risk of diagnosed diabetes is 66% higher among Hispanics. Given that the risk of diabetes increases with age, Latino seniors are even more predisposed to diabetes and its complications as they reach their golden years. Therefore, Hispanic elders are far more likely to die from diabetes complications than non-Hispanic Whites.

To schedule an interview, or for more information, please contact media@nhcoa.org or call 202-347-9733.