Type 2 Diabetes Wellness Program in a Faith-Based Organization

Abstract

In this practicum, the program objective is to improve the health of Joseph’s Storehouse food bank recipients’ community in the Blessing Center (New Hope Free Clinic and Joseph’s food bank), Redlands, California. The approach is to implement primary prevention and secondary prevention activity to increase knowledge and skills of the clients and their families of how to prevent and control type 2 diabetes through a wellness program in the clinic. The practicum began January 2015 and ended April 2015. 53 food bank recipients (non-diabetic and diabetic) were recruited. A quasi-experimental study design, pre-test/posttest, was used for the study. The impact of the program targeted diverse audience, high risk ethnic groups, and improved knowledge, awareness, management, and positive behavioral change. The study implication for public health promotion specialists is to narrow venues targeting the most vulnerable populations to promote and reduce type 2 diabetes.