Project Summary/Abstract
Rates of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) are increasing both nationally and globally. In addition to known T2D
complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease, T2D is known to
affect cognitive impairment and even severity of COVID-19 infection. A few studies have shown the benefit of
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices for better glycemic management in T2D populations. While
prevention and management protocols for T2D are ubiquitous, there continue to exist large racial/ethnic
disparities amongst the general US population. Asian Americans (AA), specifically Chinese-Americans, present
with much higher T2D prevalence and face disparities in T2D care for the following reasons: 1) Stigma arising
from the “model minority myth”, exacerbated by the rise in anti-Asian sentiments during the COVID-19
pandemic; 2) Higher T2D unawareness rate; 3) Cultural and language barriers including limited digital literacy
and English proficiency; and 4) Historical exclusion from T2D studies, including those on CGM devices and
T2D, in which culturally-relevant facilitators and barriers to CGM use have yet to be evaluated in AAs. This
study will specifically examine how T2D could be better managed in Chinese Americans through a CGM
intervention, as compared to standard fingerstick glucose monitoring (FSGM). We will be conducting a 6-
month, single-site, open-labeled randomized controlled trial examining CGM versus no CGM (FSGM) use in
1st-generation Chinese Americans. Our specific aims are: Sp. Aim 1: In a pilot 6-month randomized clinical
trial, we will examine the impact of CGM use vs. No CGM among 1st generation Chinese Americans with T2D.
Sub-Aim 1.1. Evaluate feasibility (adherence and consistency) and quality of life measures during CGM use in
this population. Sub-Aim 1.2. Generate precision estimates of the distribution of the secondary outcomes (6-
month glycemic control and lipid markers) in both arms to inform a future randomized clinical trial (RCT). Sp.
Aim 2: Identify multi-level barriers and facilitators of CGM use for Chinese Americans with T2D, using a
socioecological framework (patient-level, provider-level, and community/environment level). We will evaluate
the implementation process (facilitators and impediments), resource requirements, and intermediate patient
adherence outcomes for the program using mixed-methods approaches. These will inform design of culturally-
tailored intervention for a larger randomized controlled trial.
