Abstract
The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is rapidly increasing among adults aged 50 years and older in the United States, posing a significant public health challenge. In 2021, an estimated 38.4 million Americans had diabetes, with adults aged 50years and above constituting a disproportionately large segment of this population. Evidence suggests that community-based lifestyle and educational interventions are effective in reducing the risk of T2DM among older adults. These interventions particularly promote dietary modification, increased physical activity, and diabetes education. Integrating the expertise of nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, physicians, and other professionals through interprofessional collaboration strengthens diabetes prevention and management for older adults. Best practice recommendations include adopting comprehensive interprofessional team models, delivering care in accessible community settings, and leveraging health informatics and technology. Additionally, prioritizing health literacy and patient empowerment, embedding lifestyle and behavioral interventions, and supporting sustainability through policy and financing are critical. Implementing these practices requires interprofessional education, robust community partnerships, and supportive policy frameworks. Barriers to implementation include limited digital literacy among older adults, resource and infrastructure constraints, transportation challenges, cultural stigma related to aging and disease, and reimbursement challenges. Overcoming these barriers necessitates collaborative efforts involving local stakeholders and tailored communication strategies. Interprofessional collaboration should be conceptualized as a continuous, structured process with shared objectives and ongoing communication for collective decision-making. Scaling these interventions can significantly reduce the burden of T2DM in aging populations. Future research should explore cost-effectiveness, long-term sustainability, and strategies for equitable implementation across diverse community settings.
How could this topic be generalized to other health professions?
Inter professional, community-based strategies for chronic disease prevention among older adults: A model for collaborative practice across health professions.
Which allied health professions were a part of the study or investigated?
Public Health; Social Work; Physical Therapy; Counseling; Pharmacy; Nurse Practitioner
Recommended Citation
Joseph, J. (2026). Best Practices for Interprofessional, Community-Based Interventions in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Among Adults Aged 50 and Older. Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration, 6(2). Retrieved from https://repository.ulm.edu/ojihp/vol6/iss2/5
