Abstract
Problem Identification: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) disproportionately affects the Hmong community in Sacramento County. Hmong faces multiple barriers to healthcare access: cultural disconnects between traditional healing practices and Western medicine, language barriers, and historical underrepresentation in medical research.Analysis: Through the Social Ecological Model, several factors contribute to elevated DM2 rates among the Hmong. At the individual level, limited health literacy and traditional beliefs about illness affect care-seeking behaviors. At the interpersonal level, family-based decision-making influences healthcare choices. At the community level, insufficient physical activity infrastructure and food deserts limit healthy lifestyle options. At the organizational level, language barriers and cultural insensitivity from healthcare providers create obstacles to care.
Intervention Proposal: The "Hmong Together" initiative addresses DM2 through two key components: (1) community-based cooking classes with nutrition education workshops and resource connection services, and (2) the development of a Culturally Informed Clinical Practice Guide for healthcare providers working with the Hmong community.
Implementation and Evaluation: Implementation involves partnerships with community centers, grocery stores, and Hmong organizations like H.L.U.B. Clinic and HYPU. The program employs mixed-methods evaluation. Measurements at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up track immediate and long-term impacts on health literacy, food preparation practices, and clinical indicators.