Native American Diabetes Project

Overview

American Indian and Alaska Native people experience disproportionate rates of diabetes as well as poorer diabetes outcomes. USC addressed this problem in Los Angeles through a community-partnered diabetes research study funded by Project Angel Food and in collaboration with United American Indian Involvement, Inc., and other Native organizations.

The pilot study aimed to reach Urban Indians with diabetes to participate in an intervention that included 12 weeks of medically tailored meals, four weeks of virtual diabetes wellness classes, and social support. The study team collected survey and lab data from participants over a six-month time frame. Qualitative data through key informant interviews was also collected to learn more about participant experiences while enrolled in the study.

Unfortunately, after five cohorts, the intervention was suspended due to ongoing recruitment and retention challenges. To further explore those challenges, the USC team conducted a series of focus groups. Two focus groups were held with Project Angel Food AIAN clients to learn more about their meal experience including their preferences, level of satisfaction with the meals, and whether they encountered any logistical challenges. Two additional focus groups were held with the broader AIAN community to help us learn about the community’s priorities and about people’s feelings, interests, and experiences. We hoped that the focus groups would help us understand some of the challenges we experienced during the main intervention.