Empowerment through community building: Diabetes Today in the Pacific

The goal of Diabetes Today, a program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is to develop coalitions and train coalition members in assessment, planning, and evaluation to address diabetes in their communities. CDC established the Pacific Diabetes Today Resource Center (PDTRC) in 1998 to tailor the program for Pacific Islander communities in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Palau. PDTRC's work is guided by the principles of community building and the goal of empowering coalitions to take action around diabetes. Culturally appropriate strategies are used to gain access to the community, transfer knowledge and skills, build coalitions, and provide technical assistance. Evidence of empowerment is seen in increased individual competence, enhanced community capacity, reduced barriers, and improved supports to address diabetes. To maintain the gains of community building in the Pacific, three factors appear critical: an engaged leader, a host agency for the coalition, and continuing access to technical assistance and funds.