Understanding Social and Cultural Factors Associated with Composite Vulnerability to Better Inform Community Intervention Strategies: Cities Changing Diabetes in Houston

Abstract

We describe a novel procedure for estimating population-level vulnerability to type 2 diabetes and then demonstrate how differences in social and cultural factors among vulnerable sub-groups translate into design considerations for prevention-oriented community interventions. Our study adopted a mixed method approach combining a quantitative evaluation of population data with a qualitative vulnerability assessment that centered around in-depth interviews. Harris County, Texas serves as the setting. Four distinct sub-groups were identified within neighborhoods considered vulnerable to diabetes, based on clinical predictors of diabetes and on economic disadvantage.