Application of the PEN-3 Model in a Diabetes Prevention Intervention

More effective strategies for addressing health issues in African American communities are needed. As part of a three year NIH funded Project Export grant, this communitycampus partnership used community-based participatory research principles and the PEN-3 Cultural Framework to develop a culturally specific, locally relevant intervention to prevent Diabetes among African-Americans. A comprehensive needs assessment which included 13 elicitation interviews, 3 focus groups, and 217 surveys resulted in identifying major themes including overall lack of knowledge regarding Diabetes, issues of denial and stigma, sense of inevitability, influence of family on perceptions and behaviors, communication issues with health care providers, and lack of culturally sensitive materials. Community partners provided input into the assessment strategies, materials and intervention development, as well as recruitment and information dissemination strategies which in conjunction with the Pen-3 framework, allowed us to develop a culturally relevant strategy for reducing Diabetes related health disparities in our community.