What does this research mean for the field?

Effective cultural and linguistic adaptation of the Diabetes Prevention Program for older Spanish-speaking Hispanic adults requires addressing multi-level barriers through bilingual, plain-language materials, family involvement, and culturally resonant communication. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research seeks to understand clinician perspectives on adapting diabetes prevention programs for older Spanish-speaking Hispanic adults.

June 7, 2026

1492-P: Clinician Perspectives on Tailoring the Diabetes Prevention Program for Older Spanish-Speaking Hispanic Adults

Key Points

This research seeks to understand clinician perspectives on adapting diabetes prevention programs for older Spanish-speaking Hispanic adults.
Conducted semi-structured interviews with seven clinicians providing health education to Spanish-speaking older adults.
Interviews explored barriers and facilitators to lifestyle changes and views on intensive lifestyle programs like the DPP.
Analysis of transcripts through inductive and deductive thematic approaches to identify actionable recommendations.
Identified barriers such as low health literacy, lack of culturally relevant materials, and limited Spanish-language referrals.
Facilitators included family involvement and culturally resonant communication strategies.
Clinicians recommend bilingual materials, patient testimonials, and community resource linkages to enhance engagement.

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: Hispanic/Latino adults have high prediabetes prevalence yet lower engagement in the CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), with older Spanish speakers facing additional language and cultural barriers. We sought clinician input to guide a cultural/linguistic adaptation of the BRIDGE (BRinging the Diabetes Prevention Program to GEriatric Populations) intervention for Spanish-speaking adults ≥65 at a large federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Brooklyn, NY. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with clinicians who routinely provide health education to Spanish-speaking older adults. Participants were recruited via email. Interviews probed barriers/facilitators to diet and physical activity change among patients with prediabetes and views on intensive lifestyle programs such as the DPP. Transcripts underwent inductive and deductive thematic analysis to generate actionable adaptation recommendations. Results: Seven clinicians (three physicians, two nutritionists, two nurses) participated. Reported barriers included competing priorities, low formal education, limited health literacy, lack of culturally relevant materials, and scarce Spanish-language referral options. Facilitators included family involvement, culturally resonant communication, and pragmatic, safe physical activity suggestions. Clinicians prioritized bilingual, plain-language materials; visuals; patient testimonials; and linkages to trusted community resources to bolster engagement and retention. Conclusion: Interviews identified critical factors for tailoring DPP interventions for older Hispanic/Latino adults with prediabetes who receive care at an FQHC. Barriers to lifestyle modification span individual to community-level factors. However, family involvement and personalized communication strategies present opportunities to enhance health behavior change and program engagement. Findings support cultural tailoring strategies and inform an adapted DPP pilot. Disclosure E. De Leon: None. M.O. Clemente: None. J.M. Beasley: None. Funding National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Disorders (R01DK127916), ?NYU's Institute of Human Development and Social Change Seed Award

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