MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years
Document Type
Abstract
Publication Date
Spring 2-25-2025
Abstract
Diabetes is a major public health issue, particularly in underserved communities with limited healthcare access. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Comprehensive Care Model (CCM) in improving diabetes management at three Area Health Education Center (AHEC) sites in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). A retrospective analysis was conducted on 858 patients, categorized as prediabetic (A1C 5.7-6.4) or diabetic (A1C ≥6.5). Of these, 54 patients in each group had confirmed follow-up A1C values after a minimum of three months. The study assessed the impact of three core CCM interventions—Primary Health Services (PHS), Diabetes Education (DE), and Community Health Worker (CHW) support—on glycemic control, measured by changes in A1C levels. Results showed minimal A1C change in prediabetics (-0.05%), while diabetics exhibited a greater but highly variable reduction (-0.56%). Despite these differences, statistical analysis (p-value = 0.4707) indicated no significant impact of the intervention. The findings emphasize the need for individualized diabetes management strategies, particularly for diabetic patients who demonstrated greater variability in treatment response. Further research is necessary to explore the impact of additional CCM components, such as dietitian services, behavioral health support, and exercise interventions, to enhance diabetes outcomes. Expanding access to these services in underserved communities may help reduce healthcare disparities and improve long-term patient outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Trejo, Hector and Rodriguez, Leticia, "Implementing a Comprehensive Care Model to Improve Diabetes Management in Underserved Communities" (2025). MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years. 87.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/som9331/87
Academic Level
medical student
Mentor/PI Department
Medical Education
