SAT-641 - Community Assessment to Inform A Culturally Tailored Diabetes Prevention Program in Rural Illinois

Background: The prevalence of diabetes in the U.S. continues to rise, with an estimated 54.9 million individuals projected to be affected by 2030. Diabetes has significantly impacted Illinois with 12.8% of adults being diagnosed with diabetes and 37.5% being diagnosed with prediabetes. Rural residents of Illinois face unique challenges with regard to diabetes management and prevention due to limited access to resources and healthcare providers. Among rural counties, 29.1 out of 100,000 people die as a result of diabetes compared to 18.4 out of 100,000 throughout Illinois. Previous research has shown that culturally tailored diabetes prevention programs have been effective in achieving weight loss, improving A1c, and increasing healthy behaviors. However, limited data exist on community-specific needs in rural Illinois. This study addresses this gap through a community-based assessment to inform targeted diabetes prevention efforts.

Methods: A community health assessment was conducted in Fulton County, Illinois, using a structured questionnaire to assess awareness, beliefs, and misconceptions related to diabetes risk, prevention, detection, and management among high-risk individuals. Eligibility criteria included Fulton County residency and at least one of the following: diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, high risk for type 2 diabetes, having a family member with type 2 diabetes, or serving as a caregiver for someone with diabetes.

Results: Preliminary data from 42 participants are presented. The mean age was 49.1 years; 69% were female and 93% identified as White. Overall, 69% rated their understanding of diabetes as excellent or good, and 69% reported awareness of diabetes-related complications. Also, 69% believed diabetes is preventable. While 64% reported engaging in ≥30 minutes of physical activity per session, only 21% exercised five or more days per week. Dietary behaviors were suboptimal, with daily intake of vegetables (26%), fruits (12%), whole grains (29%), and healthy fats (14%).

Access to healthcare was generally adequate: 88% reported having a regular healthcare provider and 78% attended routine visits annually or biannually. However, only 43% were aware of diabetes prevention or management programs in their community. Participants identified educational materials and access to healthy foods as critical components of a diabetes program, and 30% indicated willingness to participate in a prevention initiative.

Conclusions: Residents of this rural Illinois county demonstrated moderate awareness of diabetes but notable gaps in nutrition-related behaviors and knowledge of community-based diabetes resources. These findings highlight opportunities for targeted intervention. Next steps include using these data to develop and implement a culturally tailored, behavior-focused diabetes prevention program in partnership with local community organizations.

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