Publication
Unifying Multi-State Efforts Through a Nationally Coordinated Extension Diabetes Program
Authors
Laura E. Balis, Research Scientist, Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition
Shari Gallup, Assistant Professor and Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension
Heather Norman-Burgdolf, Assistant Extension Professor and Extension Specialist in Food and Nutrition, University of Kentucky Extension
Julie Harker Buck, Associate Extension Professor and Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator, University of Idaho Extension
Pam Daniels, Extension Educator, Michigan State University Extension
Daniel T. Remley, Associate Professor, Food Innovation Center, and Field Specialist of Family Nutritional Wellness, OSU Extension
Lisa Graves, Assistant Program Leader in the College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University Extension
Margaret Jenkins, Assistant Professor and Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator, OSU Extension
Gayle Price, Former Family and Consumer Sciences Program Leader Coordinator and Extension Specialist, Kansas State University Extension
Quick Take
Preventing and managing chronic disease is a priority for Extension, an organization focused on bringing university research to communities through education and engagement. However, despite the organization’s broad and unified presence across much of the United States, national Extension programs are rare. Many local Extension offices produce their own unique programs instead of adapting existing, evidence-based national initiatives. This can lead to inefficient use of resources and duplication of effort.
To achieve better coordination nationally and standardize the creation, delivery, and evaluation of Extension programs, researchers point to a program called Dining with Diabetes (DWD) as a successful model. The DWD curriculum has been purchased by 36 states and is coordinated by a national working group. DWD aims to improve diabetes management, nutrition, and physical activity behaviors, and features multiple classes with goal-setting activities and cooking demonstrations.
In a new study, researchers worked to understand the process of how DWD was created, disseminated, and adopted nationally. They also analyzed its effectiveness and impact using DWD program data collected in four states and a sample size of 355 people. By applying the lessons learned from DWD, researchers recommend that Extension scale-out to coordinate and evaluate other programs nationally.
Review Findings
-
Researchers found that in DWD programs across the four states studied, participants successfully changed their diabetes management behaviors, including meal planning, nutrition, and physical activity. Participants also had improved knowledge and high confidence that they could succeed in managing their diabetes, and researchers saw decreases in their self-reported blood sugar levels.
-
However, researchers struggled to analyze results across programs and states because of differences in data collection. In addition, state-specific reporting requirements may differ from national ones, meaning program leaders must enter data multiple times in multiple places. The study suggests that national leaders should create more specific reporting guidelines to avoid duplication and ensure uniform evaluation measures.
-
In addition, few participants completed follow-up surveys. Researchers recommend that program coordinators use more creative strategies to reach participants after programs, including social media and email.
-
The study notes that more effort is needed to address health disparities and reach diverse populations across the nation. Extension program coordinators should identify priority groups and work to remove barriers to participation.
-
Because only four states participated, these results may not be representative of the nation. To collect multi-state data more effectively, researchers propose a new role or umbrella organization within Extension that would oversee national programming and evaluation. They also suggest more training for leaders across states and creating new measures of success for Extension that move away from local program development.
Citation
Balis, L. E., Gallup, S., Norman-Burgdolf, H., Buck, J.H., Daniels, P., Remley, D.T., Graves, L., Jenkins, M., Price, G. “Unifying Multi-State Efforts Through a Nationally Coordinated Extension Diabetes Program.” Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, April 2022. Volume 10, No. 1, Article 5. https://doi.org/10.54718/WCGP8929