Conexion: A Localized Information Resource on Diabetes and Depression for a Low-income Hispanic Community

Depression, Diabetes Mellitus

Conexion, Diabetes, Depression, Low-income, Hispanic

The proposed Conexion resource combines best publicly available evidence-based information and local community resources in one place. The information is curated and contextualized to meet local needs of consumers and providers. Content is tailored culturally and geographically to fit the community. This approach is consistent with evidence showing that individuals' interactions with health information and technology are community embedded.

Nationwide, Hispanics have many barriers to accessing health information, and are subject to significant health disparities, including disproportionate burden of diabetes and untreated mental illness. The research team's preliminary research has identified diabetes and depression as the highest priority needs in the study community of Washington Heights-Inwood (WAHI), which is an urban, low-income neighborhood in New York City with 71% Hispanic residents, predominantly immigrants from the Dominican Republic. Many high-quality health information resources already exist on the internet but they are not reaching many segments of the population, including parts of the WAHI community. The novel concept the investigators propose here is an information resource localized to a community.

United States