Lifeline to Health: Managing Diabetes Among African Americans
Atlanta, GA, 2002
Diabetes among African Americans in the state of Georgia is staggering and has become one of the state's most common chronic diseases. For every Georgia death for which diabetes is the primary cause, there are approximately 2.5 more deaths for which diabetes is listed as a contributing cause. African Americans are almost two times more likely to develop diabetes than Caucasians and experience higher incidents of complications from the disease, including kidney failure, limb amputation and death.
WCLK-FM and the Georgia Department of Community Health's Office of Minority Health not only informed and educated African Americans about diabetes but sought to effect changes to their lifestyle. To do this, the organizations produced a series of twelve 5-minute radio vignettes about managing diabetes that are aired on Lifeline to Health, a monthly 60-minute news and information call-in program addressing minority health care issues currently produced by WCLK and the Office of Minority Health (OMH).
The segments chronicled the progress of two diabetic patients—one African-American male, one African-American female—enrolled in a Lifestyle Principle program, a proven lifestyle change program developed by OHM. The partners believe this programming was effective in conveying the mindset and dilemmas one faces when forced to make healthier choices.
To extend the impact of this programming and reinforce its message, the partners created an adult educational workshop package and trained up to 25 health educators in its use. The package included a CD of the 12 vignettes and a series of adult learning activities. Community organizations will be able to use these materials as a primary teaching tool or to complement other diabetes educational materials. The partners conducted an evaluation regarding the utility of the workshop package.
Contact Information
WCLK-FM
Reggie Hicks, Director of Talk Programming
Tel: 404-880-6234
Georgia Dept. of Community Health, Office of Minority Health
Kristal Ammons, Program Consultant
Tel: 404-463-3450