Improving the Diabetic Health of Black Men (MANUP-NC): MANUP-NC Feasibility Trial

As the United States' 7th leading cause of death, improving diabetic outcomes is a public health priority. Black American men disproportionately suffer from diabetes more than White counterparts. John Henryism endorses traditional masculine norms for Black Men, such as self-determination and strength, as assets. However, these norms can also act as barriers to diabetes self-management as they restrict access to support from family and friends at a time when it is most needed.

The purpose of this application is to pilot a targeted, culturally-tailored, diabetes self-management intervention for 50 rural Black men to improve diabetes-related outcomes. Aim 1: Implement a 6-month diabetes self-management intervention, grounded in John Henryism, with two arms consisting of the active intervention group and a delayed intervention group to test the intervention's effect on the primary outcome of A1c change. Aim 2: Determine the feasibility of conducting a 6-month culturally-tailored diabetes self-management intervention for Black men in a rural NC community.

The intervention includes a 10-week education program focusing on self-management, social support and coping strategies; and, daily motivational text messages. Aim 1 analysis includes repeated measures t-test (or the non-parametric equivalent Wilcoxon Matched Pairs test) to compare the mean scores of the both groups pre and post intervention. Aim 2 analysis focuses on key parameters required for conducting a future trial. This innovative study leverages the self-reliance and active coping mechanisms of John Henryism by fostering self-determination to properly self-manage diabetes while providing stress management and coping skills to buffer John Henryism's adverse effects.