Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Legacy Project

Diabetes is twice as common in the Chicago Hispanic population compared with the non-Hispanic White population. A local survey of Puerto Rican adults in neighboring Humboldt Park revealed prevalence rates three times higher and mortality rates four times higher than the current U.S. rate. This Legacy Project proposes to use the Diabetes Education and Empowerment Program to reverse that trend by achieving four principal goals:

to establish a cadre of trainers to provide the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP)
to increase the number of Hispanic/Latino residents in Logan Square receiving diabetes health education
to improve community residents' diabetes knowledge, preventive and self-management behaviors, self-efficacy, attitudes and social well-being
to increase the number of residents who have a medical home

Community-based parent mentors will become DEEP trainers and will provide the DEEP curriculum to parents and other residents. In addition, member of the Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center residency program will be trained at DEEP trainers. They will attend trainings in the community and provide explanations and answer to participants' questions.

In addition, community members without a regular source of health care will be referred to conveniently-located federally qualified health clinics and the SMEMC. The project will share its findings throughout the communities via school and community newsletters, presentations, internet resources, and communication with community organizations.

This project involves the collaborative efforts of the Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center , Logan Square Neighborhood Association, and McAuliffe Elementary School .