DREAM (2008-2016) Project Curriculum

The DREAM Project was a community based participatory research study based in the NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health at the NYU Langone Health.

The goal of the project is to develop, implement, and test a Community Health Worker (CHW) Program designed to improve diabetes control and diabetes-related health complications in the Bangladeshi community in New York City.

Specific Aims:

  • To utilize the methods of community based participatory research (CBPR) to expand upon an existing collaboration between academic institutions, health providers, and community based organizations to develop and implement a CHW program for diabetic Bangladeshi Americans.
  • To examine trends in risk factors and patient outcomes among Bangladeshi Americans diagnosed with diabetes in the New York City public hospital system.
  • To develop, implement and assess the efficacy of a CHW intervention to improve diabetes management and access to care among the Bangladeshi American community.

Intervention

The DREAM Project (2008-2016) utilized a randomized case-control design to test the effectiveness of a community health worker (CHW) intervention to improve diabetes control.  Participants were recruited from both community- and clinic-based sites to participate in the six-month intervention. Once enrolled, participants will receive monthly group and one-on-one educational sessions on the following topics:

  • An Overview of Diabetes
  • Nutrition
  • Physical Activity
  • Complications of Diabetes
  • Stress Management & Family Support

Educational sessions were hosted in an interactive format utilizing group activities and role plays. Additionally, all sessions are taught in Bengali and all educational materials provided have been translated.  CHWs followed up with the study participants through weekly phone calls and follow-up visits. CHWs were also available to assist participants with healthcare visits or other social service needs.

The following participant outcomes were measured at the Baseline (before starting the intervention), 3-Month, and 6-Month time-points:

  • Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
  • Lipid Profile (HDL, LDL, Cholesterol, and Triglycerides)
  • Hypertension Status
  • Weight, Waist & Hip Circumference
  • Access to and utilization of healthcare
  • Physical activity and eating behaviors

Researchers found that the intervention group experienced decreases in A1C, mean cholesterol, weight and BMI, and blood pressure. They also gained knowledge of type 2 diabetes and confidence in self-management of their condition.

Another component of the DREAM Project was the Obesity and Stress in South Asians (OASIS) Project, which explored the clinical, behavioral, social, and cultural mechanisms associated with stress and obesity in South Asians living in New York City and the potential efficacy of faith-based strategies for disease prevention in these communities.

The DREAM Project was funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), NIH National Center for the Advancement of Translational Science (NCATS), NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) grant, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

DREAM Project Materials and Toolkit

The DREAM (Diabetes Research, Education, and Action for Minorities) Project (2008-2016) aimed to develop, implement, and test a CHW program designed to improve diabetes control and diabetes-related health complications in the Bangladeshi community in New York City. The following tools from the project are available for download and use:

DREAM Physical Activity DVD


Video Link 1
Video Link 2