Understanding the role of the promotora in a Latino diabetes education program.

We explore the role of the promotora de salud (health promoter) who provided diabetes self-management education to Puerto Rican diabetics in her community. The education program was developed as a hospital and community-based organization partnership. Information from both Spanish-language focus groups with 35 class participants and an in-depth interview with the promotora indicated patients appreciated having the classes taught in Spanish by a Latina promotora from their community.