Honoring Heritage, Managing Health: A Mobile Diabetes Self-Management App for Native Americans with Cultural Sensitivity and Local Factors

Abstract

Diabetes has a disproportionate impact on Native Americans (NAs) as a chronic health condition, yet there is a dearth of mobile apps specifically designed for this population. In this paper, we present the design and development of a culturally tailored mobile app for NAs, taking into account their cultural traditions. Our app incorporates NA's traditional foods, food availability, the importance of family and community, cultural practices and beliefs, local resources, and heritage heroes into the app interface and self-management design. The app includes personalized nutrition guidance, family and community-based support, seamless connection to tribal health providers, access to local resources, and integration of cultural elements. By considering the cultural context of NAs, the developed app has the potential to provide culturally sensitive and relevant features that address the unique needs and preferences of NA users, facilitating effective self-management of diabetes.