Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring: Program Planning, Implementation, and Lessons Learned From 5 Federally Qualified Health Centers in Hawai'i.

Self-measured blood pressure monitoring programs (BPMPs) are effective at controlling hypertension. We examined implementation of self-measured BPMPs at 5 Hawai'i-based Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). In a process evaluation of these programs, we found that FQHCs developed protocols for self-measured BPMP recruitment and enrollment and provided additional supports to account for their patients' psychosocial needs to achieve blood pressure control, such as lifestyle change education and opportunities through referrals either to on-site or other programs (eg, on-site gym, tobacco cessation program). Common barriers across sites included insufficient material support for blood pressure monitors and data collection; funding, which affects program sustainability; and the lack of an "off-the-shelf" self-measured BPMP intervention. Policy makers and funding organizations should address these issues related to self-measured BPMPs to ensure implementation success.

Kupuna "Older Adults" COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts in Hawai'i: Barriers and Successes.

Prior to the availability of vaccines, kupuna (older adults) accounted for the majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. Hawaii's phased vaccine-release plan prioritized kupuna, but it did not include guidance or strategies for kupuna to get to mass vaccination sites, for those residing in care and foster homes, or for the homebound. This paper presents findings from statewide efforts to facilitate a quick uptake of vaccines among kupuna of all ability levels. Researchers interviewed 32 individuals involved in kupuna vaccination efforts from state and county government agencies, health care organizations, and non-profit organizations. Data on the percentage of kupuna that initiated and completed the vaccination series by age group and island were obtained from the Hawai'i State Department of Health COVID-19 Dashboard. Overall, kupuna vaccination efforts across the state were successful. By July 30, 2021, 94% of adults age 65+ were vaccinated, although prevalence varied by county-from 88% on Maui to 98% on Kaua'i. Key barriers included cumbersome online systems for scheduling vaccination appointments, difficulties for some elders in accessing mass vaccination sites, and the need for education and consent forms in multiple languages. Successful strategies included funding coalitions for effective partnerships, establishing county- and language-specific call centers, and supporting translation/interpretation services, mobile and pop-up clinics, and mechanisms for in-home vaccinations. Hawai'i worked hard to facilitate the quick uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among older adults. Funding for coalitions that could identify gaps, coordinate expertise across public and private sectors, and advocate for elders were crucial elements of the state's success.

Insights in Public Health: Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of the Prevent Diabetes, Hawai'i Campaign.

The Prevent Diabetes, Hawai'i campaign aimed to increase awareness of prediabetes by encouraging adults to take a Diabetes Risk Test and share the results with their doctors or healthcare providers. The campaign was developed based on social marketing principles, and focus groups were used to inform the marketing mix. Television, radio, digital, and print advertisements featured local actor and comedian Frank De Lima, and a website with an online Diabetes Risk Test and resources for patients and providers were promoted in all advertisements. From March 2017 to November 2019, more than 55,000 Hawai'i residents visited the campaign website. Campaign outcomes were assessed through state-added questions to the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Overall, 35.0% of adults said that they remembered seeing or hearing an advertisement featuring Frank De Lima and/or the Prevent Diabetes, Hawai'i message. Five percent of respondents reported taking an online or paper version of the Diabetes Risk Test in the past 12 months, and an additional 19.7% said that they planned to take it. Among those who reported taking the Diabetes Risk Test, 60.2% said they had already spoken to their doctor or other healthcare provider about the test results or risk for type 2 diabetes. The State Department of Health will continue efforts to increase awareness of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, reach priority populations most at risk, and expand availability of evidence-based lifestyle change programs.

Greater Community-Clinical Linkages and Attention to Patient Life Stage: Recommendations to Improve Diabetes Self-Management Education in Hawai'i.

Patients with diabetes regularly carry out multiple disease-management behaviors-taking prescribed medications, following diet and exercise regimens, self-monitoring their blood glucose concentrations, and coping emotionally with the condition-that may require ongoing support from community and clinical resources. Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is an ongoing, patient-centered process that helps provide the knowledge, skills, and ability for self-care. Evidence suggests that DSME is most effective when reinforced by community resources, through what are called community-clinical resources. We conducted a series of qualitative key-informant interviews with DSME coordinators/managers from all counties in Hawai'i to document the landscape of DSME services in the state, focusing specifically on challenges and recommendations. We analysed the results using the socioecological model in order to chart these factors by levels of influence on health care providers, in terms of service provision, and on patients, in terms of DSME utilization. Many interviewees highlighted concerns about low utilization of DSME services, as well as practical implementation challenges (eg, group versus 1-on-1 sessions). Nonetheless, DSME coordinators/managers offered numerous recommendations to improve DSME across Hawai'i, highlighting opportunities for improved community-clinical linkages. Finally, emergent from the interviews were anxieties about increasing numbers of youth with diabetes and insufficient resources for them in DSME or other community-clinical resources. This paper offers suggestions to expand community-clinical linkages and to adapt services provided by DSME to meet patient and community needs. It is particularly timely as Hawai'i is rapidly increasing the number and diversity of DSME programs available.