A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR CLÍNICA AMISTAD'S PREDIABETES PROGRAM

Abstract

Latinx populations in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, driven by complex cultural, socioeconomic, and structural factors. This literature review examines historical and contemporary health disparities affecting Latinx communities, focusing on risk factors, barriers to healthcare access, and the effectiveness of culturally tailored diabetes prevention interventions. Building on this evidence, a quality improvement plan is proposed for the Prediabetes Education Program at Clí­nica Amistad, a free health clinic in Tucson, Arizona. Recommendations include integrating culturally relevant recipes, increasing family involvement, incorporating experiential learning activities, implementing the buddy system, and enhancing participant incentives. These interventions aim to improve program engagement, retention, and clinical outcomes, ultimately advancing health equity for low-income, uninsured Latinx individuals. An evaluation plan is outlined to assess the success of the proposed strategies.