Tamara Kosturanova
Research Mentor(s): Cherie Conley
Mentor Department: University of Michigan
Authors:
Session: Session 3 (11:00am – 11:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 78
Abstract
Type 2 Diabetes is a modern epidemic in the United States, with rapidly increasing rates amongst certain socioeconomic groups. Amongst these groups are African Americans, who are approximately 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes than Caucasians.1 According to existing research, previous prevention programs have not yet effectively spread to affected African American communities. Ultimately, our research aims to implement and evaluate the utilization of peer support in a Type 2 Diabetes prevention program within faith communities of an urban Midwest city. However, through semi structured interviews and implementation science, we are currently solely focused on gaining an in-depth understanding of how multiple levels of social influence could facilitate or challenge participant recruitment, retention, and goal attainment for the design of the previously mentioned dyadic peer support program. Currently, we have analyzed 12 interviews that were conducted by the project PI (principal investigator) between September 2024 and February 2025. From these interviews, we have reached the conclusion of 27 important social factors towards the future dyadic peer support program from intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, and community levels. These include but are not limited to stress, accountability and trust, financial incentives, and healthy food availability. Our findings emphasize the multiple levels of social determinants, and how many factors outside of personal control can raise or lower one’s risk for Type 2 Diabetes. With our findings, we hope to implement peer support on a larger scale, helping the African American population and other communities live a healthier, happier lifestyle free of Type 2 Diabetes.
