Design and Method: In the past four years, over 900 low income elders from various cultural backgrounds were surveyed and interviewed by nursing students and faculty at ten community living facilities in the East Bay. The survey questionnaire included demographic data, health status, psychosocial backgrounds, and environmental and living conditions. Using equipment and supplies supported by Roche Diagnostics, students also screened participants for obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

Results: The prevalence of participants with overweight (BMI = 25-29) was 34% while obesity (BMI ³ 30) indicating 27%. The pre-diabetes in this population were 35%. Clients with pre- and hypertensive conditions were 65%: Of those, 45% of participants routinely administered antihypertensive agents. The majority of participants also reported experiencing signs and symptoms of depression, osteoarthritis, hard of hearing, poor visions, and lack of sleep. After thorough assessments by nursing students in series of three sessions in each setting, health teaching programs focusing on priority health needs targeted toward those participants who were interested in life style changes. Follow-up case studies by nursing students were planned to improve health outcomes of participants. Implications: Educational Intervention focusing on health promotion activities in independent living facilities that involve nursing students and their faculty provides a model program that may be implemented globally to improve health status of an elderly population who appears to be at increased health risks.