A new telehealth intervention led by community health workers has shown promising results in improving blood pressure control among South Asian immigrants with type 2 diabetes. The study, conducted in Atlanta, Georgia, found that participants in the Diabetes Research, Education, and Action for Minorities (DREAM) intervention achieved significantly better blood pressure control compared to a control group.
South Asian adults, including those from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and other countries in the region, face higher rates of co-occurring type 2 diabetes and hypertension compared to other racial and ethnic minority groups. They also experience social disadvantages such as limited English proficiency and inadequate access to health insurance.
The DREAM intervention involved monthly virtual health education sessions led by community health workers who shared the same cultural background as the participants. These sessions covered topics like nutrition, exercise, and stress management, tailored to the specific needs of South Asian immigrants.
After six months, 33.7% of the treatment group achieved blood pressure control, compared to only 16.5% in the control group. Participants also reported improvements in medication adherence, physical activity, and diet control.
This study adds to growing evidence supporting the use of community health workers to provide culturally appropriate chronic disease management education via telehealth. By overcoming barriers such as transportation and language differences, this approach offers a promising way to address health disparities among immigrant communities in the United States.
See “Community Health Worker-Led DREAM Intervention Helps South Asian Immigrants Gain Blood Pressure Control” (August 26, 2024)
