Stories for Change Protocol: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Digital Storytelling Workshop Intervention for Hispanic/Latino with Type 2 Diabetes
Hispanic/Latino adults are disproportionately impacted by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).
Contemporary Clinical Trials Jan 2023
To address the high rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among Hispanic/Latino adults, RHCP and its partners developed a culturally tailored digital storytelling intervention called Stories for Change (S4C). This project used a randomized controlled trial to test whether personal stories shared through video could improve diabetes self-management. Participants were recruited from clinics in Minnesota and Arizona and randomly assigned to either view the 12-minute video or receive usual care. The video featured four storytellers discussing their experiences with diet, exercise, medication, and glucose monitoring. To reinforce the message, intervention participants received monthly text prompts and were encouraged to share the video with family and friends.
The trial enrolled 451 participants, most of whom were women with an average age of 53 and HbA1c levels above 9%. Both groups received diabetes education materials, but only the intervention group viewed the video and engaged in follow-up activities. Early findings showed that participants connected with the storytellers and felt motivated to improve their health behaviors. The study measured outcomes like HbA1c levels, self-efficacy, social support, and healthcare utilization. While the full results are pending, the protocol offers a promising model for using storytelling to promote health equity and improve chronic disease management in underserved communities.
Pilot Feasibility Study of a Digital Storytelling Intervention for Immigrant and Refugee Adults With Diabetes
Immigrants and refugees often arrive in the United States healthier than most Americans, but with time, their health becomes similar to that of the general population, including with regard to unhealthy cardiovascular risk factors and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
The Diabetes Educator 2017
RHCP developed and tested a culturally and linguistically tailored digital storytelling intervention to support diabetes self-management among Somali and Latino immigrants with type 2 diabetes. The intervention consisted of a 12–13 minute video featuring four personal stories, an introduction, and a closing educational message, all created through a participatory process. Delivered during routine clinic visits, the video was rated highly by participants for its usefulness, interest, and motivational impact. After viewing, 96% felt more confident managing their diabetes, and 92% reported intentions to change specific behaviors. A1C levels decreased significantly among Latino participants, particularly those with higher baseline values, suggesting potential clinical benefits.
The intervention’s success was rooted in its CBPR framework, which emphasized community ownership, cultural relevance, and authentic storytelling. Participants identified key messages aligned with diabetes self-management—healthy eating, physical activity, medication adherence, and glucose monitoring—and expressed willingness to share the video with others. While the pilot study was nonrandomized and limited in size, it demonstrated feasibility and acceptability across diverse clinical settings. These findings support further research into scalable, narrative-based interventions to address chronic disease disparities in immigrant and refugee populations.
Diabetes Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors Among Somali and Latino Immigrants
Persons from Somalia constitute the largest group of immigrants and refugees from Africa among whom diabetes-related health disparities are well documented.
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health Dec 2015
A community-based participatory research effort led by RHCP assessed diabetes knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among Somali and Latino immigrants with type 2 diabetes in Rochester, Minnesota. Through a culturally and linguistically adapted survey administered by trained community partners, 78 participants shared their experiences managing diabetes. Despite high engagement with healthcare providers and strong self-reported confidence in managing their condition, actual diabetes knowledge was low. Participants reported significant disease burden, negative emotional impacts, and barriers to physical activity and glucose monitoring. However, they also demonstrated high levels of self-efficacy and social support, particularly from family members.
Findings revealed striking similarities between Somali and Latino participants, suggesting that shared experiences of immigration, socioeconomic challenges, and limited English proficiency may play a more significant role in shaping diabetes management than cultural differences alone. These insights underscore the importance of tailoring interventions to address systemic barriers and leveraging community strengths. The data will inform future behavioral interventions aimed at improving diabetes outcomes and reducing health disparities among immigrant and refugee populations in the U.S.
Stories for Change: Development of a Diabetes Digital Storytelling Intervention for Refugees and Immigrants to Minnesota Using Qualitative Methods
Immigrants and refugees are affected by diabetes-related health disparities, with higher rates of incident diabetes and sub-optimal diabetes outcomes.
BMC Public Health 2015
RHCP partnered with Somali and Latino communities in Rochester, Minnesota to co-develop a culturally and linguistically tailored digital storytelling intervention aimed at improving type II diabetes management. Using a CBPR approach, they conducted focus groups to explore lived experiences across four domains: medication management, glucose monitoring, physical activity, and nutrition. Participants shared barriers such as cultural norms, family responsibilities, misinformation, and structural challenges like cost and transportation. Despite these obstacles, many found motivation through family support, faith, and fear of complications, and adopted strategies like adapting healthy behaviors to daily routines and seeking reliable health information.
Building on these insights, RHCP collaborated with the Center for Digital Storytelling to train eight community members—selected for their storytelling abilities—to create personal narratives reflecting their diabetes journeys. These stories were developed through a four-and-a-half-day workshop and compiled into two intervention packages (Somali and Spanish, both with English subtitles). The process fostered community ownership, empowerment, and capacity building, and the final products were described as powerful and motivational. While the intervention’s efficacy will be evaluated in future work, this participatory model offers a replicable framework for other communities seeking to address chronic disease disparities through culturally grounded storytelling.