Community Outreach for Navajo People Living with Diabetes: Who Benefits Most?

INTRODUCTION

The Community Outreach and Patient Empowerment (COPE) intervention provides integrated outreach through community health representatives (CHRs) to people living with diabetes in Navajo Nation. The aim of this study was to identify groups for whom the intervention had the greatest effect on glycated hemoglobin A (HbA).

METHODS

We analyzed de-identified data extracted from routine health records dated from December 1, 2010, through August 31, 2014, to compare net change in HbA among COPE patients and non-COPE patients. We used linear mixed models to assess whether the intervention was modified by age, sex, preferred language, having a primary care provider, baseline HbA, or having a mental health condition.

RESULTS

Age, having a primary care provider, and baseline HbA significantly modified HbA levels. Among patients aged 64 or younger, COPE participation was associated with a net decrease in HbA of 0.77%; among patients aged 65 or older, the net decrease was 0.49% (P = .03). COPE participation was associated with a steeper decrease in HbA among patients without a primary care physician (net decrease, 0.99%) than among patients with a primary care provider (net decrease, 0.57%) (P = .03). COPE patients with a baseline HbA >9% had a net decrease of 0.70%, while those with a baseline HbA ≤9% had a net decrease of 0.34% (P = .01). We found no significant differences based on sex, preferred language, or having a mental health condition.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that the COPE intervention was robust and equitable, benefiting all groups living with diabetes in Navajo Nation, but conferring the greatest benefit on the most vulnerable.