By Laurel White
A telehealth program that includes wellness videos and group discussions could help rural families in Wisconsin and elsewhere stave off diabetes diagnoses, according to a new study by UW–Madison researchers.
The study, published in Preventative Medicine Reports, found a telehealth pilot program that encouraged physical activity for all family members resulted in increased activity levels for parents and children. Increased physical activity has been shown to combat the onset of type 2 diabetes — an illness that individuals living in rural areas are more likely to contract than those living in urban areas. According to a January 2025 study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is 9% to 17% higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
Susan Andreae, an assistant professor in the School of Education’s Department of Kinesiology, was the lead author of the study. She says targeting the intervention to the entire family was a calculated choice to increase its efficacy.
“Because family history increases the risk for type-2 diabetes, a family-centered approach can be very effective in reducing risk in adults and promoting health habits in their children,” she says.
The pilot study of 17 families ran for 12 weeks and included an intensive phase of weekly, 30-minute video sessions focused on health topics including physical activity, reducing sedentary behavior, healthy eating, or sleep health. The intense phase was followed by maintenance-focused sessions held bi-weekly and then monthly. Sessions reinforced video content through discussions and interactive activities.
The study found at the conclusion of the program that caregivers increased weekly physical activity by roughly 42 minutes and children’s mean daily step counts increased by about 1,200 steps. These success measures were identified through interviews and objective measures of physical activity and self-reported global health, physical activity, and social support.
Andreae says the study shows the potential benefits of low-cost programs that could reap major rewards for multi-generational health.
“Family-focused programs could cost-effectively broaden access to health promotion while engaging youth,” she says.
Andreae’s co-authors on the study were Emily Hickey, research coordinator at the Waisman Center; Carol Van Hulle, associate scientist at the School of Medicine and Public Health; and Angela Flickinger, extension program manager at the Carbone Cancer Center.
Broadly, Andreae’s research focuses on developing and evaluating behavioral programs with the goal to improve quality of life and health outcomes in residents of under-resourced communities.