Impact of a novel community-based lifestyle intervention program on type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk in a resource-poor setting in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Our pilot experience demonstrates the efficacy and feasibility of a novel, low-cost, community-based educational initiative to improve blood glucose control and reduce cardiovascular risk in individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Replication of our model in other underserved areas could have a substantial impact on global health.

Trends and Heterogeneity of Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Factors Across Latin American and Caribbean Countries

“…Lead community based cost effective and sustainable lifestyle modification and educational programs to be implemented that could lead to a significant reduction of DM, as well as other risk factors for CVD. 33 Dyslipidemia Elevated total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and their combination are important risk factors for MI and other vascular diseases. Latin America has experienced a significant nutritional transition, likely affected by international trade agreements and globalization; increasing production and consumption of preprocessed food, soybean and palm oil.…”

Improving management of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia in the Caribbean: a systematic review of intervention studies

“…Sixty full texts were assessed for eligibility (Figure ). Seventeen met the criteria for inclusion and were extracted . The majority were conducted in Cuba (seven studies: 41%) and Trinidad and Tobago (five studies: 29%), the remainder in Jamaica (three studies: 18%), Guyana (one study: 6%) and Dominican Republic (one study: 6%) (Table ).…”

“…Eight studies reported HbA1c, with four of the eight (50%) finding a significant improvement in HbA1c values (Table ) . One study found that HbA1c values significantly increased from baseline to 48 weeks .…”

“…Twelve of the 17 studies reported on blood pressure, with five of the 12 (42%) reporting a significant improvement in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure . Of the remaining studies, four did not report a P ‐value and three reported no significant decrease .…”

“…Seven studies reported on BMI, with just two of the seven (29%) reporting significant improvements . Of the remaining studies, three reported no significant change in BMI and two did not report P ‐values . Only two studies measured blood lipid values according to their methods , but only one reported the values and even then only for baseline, but not follow‐up .…”