"Community Connections" spotlights the many ways in which hospitals serve their communities. AHA members can learn more by clicking on the "Community Connections" icon at www.aha.org.

Mount Auburn Hospital in Waltham, MA, recognized that type 2 diabetes was a growing health problem among the city's Latino residents. Many show up at the hospital's emergency department and the local community health center with serious complications.

No surprise, since Latinos nationally are diagnosed with diabetes at twice the rate of the general population. To tackle the local problem, the hospital, the community health center, a local housing alliance and a bilingual education agency last year engaged residents in small meetings and focus groups. The partnership listened to residents as part of "Listen and Learn," a project aimed at developing effective diabetes education and prevention programs.

While Mount Auburn has worked in the Latino community on diabetes and other health issues, the hospital "didn't know if we were teaching the right programs or were listening in ways" that fostered better communication with Latino families, says Mary Johnson, who heads the hospital's Latino diabetes services. "If we want to develop something that resonates with the community we have to get to know them better. Sitting inside the four walls of the hospital isn't the way to do it."

In meetings with Latino residents, participants were given cameras to take photos of what healthy eating meant to them, and also of the "things that represent something in their world and their community," says Johnson. She recalls one participant saying, "I can take a picture of what you are supposed to eat for breakfast, but I don't have the time or the money to eat that way." The project "showed that a lack of time, money and access to care are important issues" for this predominantly low-income population, she says.

Listen and Learn's sponsors hope the project will bring more attention to the importance of preventive care in addressing diabetes and other health issues among  Latinos, who account for about 8% of the city's 60,000 residents. "Many in the community will not come to the health center until they are very sick," says Olga McLellan, who coordinates diabetes services at the Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center, a project sponsor. "We see a lot of patients who have been living with undiagnosed diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol for many years before they come looking for a doctor."

The project's aim is two-fold: to identify and support leaders and organizations that will raise community awareness about treating diabetes, and to develop programs within the hospital and other health care organizations that strengthen efforts to provide culturally sensitive care.

"Our hope is to listen to and hear the patient voice in a different way," says McLellan. "A healthy community is built on individuals who are empowered one at a time."

For more information on Listen and Learn, contact Mount Auburn Hospital's Robinson at mjohnso1@mah.hard.edu.