LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Southern Nevada Health District is offering free diabetes self-management classes in Spanish to reach Latino families facing higher rates of the disease.
Spanish-speaking participants are 1.5 times more likely to develop diabetes, according to Rayleen Earney, senior health educator with the health district.
“We really want to reach our membership, and we certainly have a high percentage of Latinos living here in Las Vegas,” Earney said.
Addressing language barriers in healthcare
The classes aim to ensure diabetes education isn’t lost in translation for families who may not receive medical care in their native language.
“During our classes, we provide various education opportunities and resources when it comes to nutrition, physical activity, medications, and how to reduce diabetes complications,” said David Barragan, health educator.
The program targets people with diabetes and pre-diabetes, a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal.
“We want to make sure that even if they have pre-diabetes, that they get tested from their doctor and then they can come to class and learn how to manage better,” Earney said.
Personal impact on participants
Fregdi Pinarua, who has pre-diabetes, has attended the classes for four months.
“It helped a lot, but as Latinos, most of us suffer from diabetes due to the change of country and food,” Pinarua said in Spanish.
Pinarua said learning from health district instructors has been life-changing.
“When we got here, we did a sudden change in our diet, our lives, and our activities, and I believe that all of that contributes to not developing diabetes,” he said.
Practical education approach
The classes address common questions participants have, particularly about diet and nutrition.
“These are plates, nine-inch plates, and we kind of use the my plate method to inform participants in class on how to build a healthy plate,” Barragan said.
The classes are open to anyone with diabetes or pre-diabetes, and families are welcome to attend since lifestyle changes require team effort, according to the health district.
The health district welcomes walk-ins. The next Spanish-language class is scheduled for February 20. To register, visit the Southern Nevada Health District website.
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