The Diabetes Research, Education, and Action for Minorities (DREAM) Initiative

The Diabetes Research, Education, and Action for Minorities (DREAM) Initiative was a 5-year, randomized controlled trial integrating CHW and EHR approaches into a network of NYC primary care practices to support: 1) weight loss among South Asian patients at risk for diabetes; and 2) HbA1c reduction among South Asian patients with diabetes. The intervention assesses the feasibility, adoption, and impact of integrating CHW-led health coaching with an EHR-based intervention in primary care settings. Eligible individuals were identified from an EHR registry report, and individuals randomized to the intervention were invited to participate in the study. It was hypothesized that individuals receiving the pre-diabetes intervention would be more likely to lose at least 5% of their body weight, and individuals receiving the diabetes intervention would reduce HbA1c by 5% compared to individuals receiving usual care from the primary care practice.