Diabetes Prevention for Black Men

Using a Geographically Targeted and Mixed Methods Approach to Improve Glycemic Control Among Black Men Identified as Having Previously Undiagnosed Diabetes and Prediabetes

Geographic analyses of diabetes burden have found that poor glycemic control, high rates of diabetes-related hospital utilization, and a high prevalence of microvascular diabetic complications all cluster in the same neighborhoods.This proposed study seeks to identify Black barbers with undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes using point-of-care HbA1c testing, perform qualitative interviews to identify health behaviors that may explain poor sugar control, and develop a workplace-based food intervention to promote primary prevention and test its effect on sugar control in these individuals.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Black or African American men who work as barbers at Black-owned barbershops
• Barbershop clients.
• Workplace in neighborhood geographically identified as having higher diabetes burden
• No prior history of clinical diagnosis of diabetes
• Identified on initial and second point-of-care testing to have an HbA1c of 5.7 or greater

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with a history of blood loss or blood disorder that would lead to incorrect results on point-of care HbA1c testing
• Individuals with a history of food allergies that requires specific dietary restrictions
• Individuals who are not English speaking
• Individuals who have a significant cognitive impairment that will be a barrier to communication, valid consent and participation