scholarly journals Formative Evaluation of the Families SHARE Disease Risk Tool among Low-Income African Americans

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Kayla de la Haye ◽  
Calandra Whitted ◽  
Laura M. Koehly
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Surgeon General ◽  
Critical Gap ◽  
Mixed Methods Evaluation ◽  
Risk Reducing

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Family Health Histories (FHH) have been endorsed by the surgeon general as a powerful yet underutilized tool for identifying individuals at risk for complex chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. FHH tools provide a mechanism for increasing communication about disease history and motivating behavior change to reduce disease risk. A critical gap in translation efforts includes a lack of research that adapts and evaluates tools for low-income, minority populations who experience disparities in chronic disease. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This study is a formative mixed-methods evaluation of an evidence-based FHH intervention called “Families SHARE” among African Americans residing in low-income neighborhoods. Participants (<i>N</i> = 51) completed assessments before and 6 weeks after receiving the intervention, including surveys and focus groups. We evaluated (a) their use, understanding, and perceived value of the tool; (b) if the intervention led to increased intentions to adopt disease risk-reducing behaviors among those with heightened disease risk, given their FHH; and (c) acceptability of and recommendations for the tool. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The quantitative and qualitative data indicated that this population valued and used the tool, and it prompted communication about FHH with family, friends, and others. Receipt of the intervention resulted in mixed accuracy of their perceived disease risk, and it did not shift intentions to change health behaviors. Qualitative data provide insights for future iterations of the Families SHARE tool. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Families SHARE is an engaging FHH tool that can be further tailored to optimize its value and benefits for low-income African Americans.

Differential DNA Methylation and Cardiometabolic Risk in African American Mother-Adolescent Dyads

2021 ◽  
pp. 109980042110390
Author(s):  
Amanda Elswick Gentry ◽  
Jo Robins ◽  
Mat Makowski ◽  
Wendy Kliewer
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Background: Cardiovascular disease disproportionately affects African Americans as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Among African Americans, compared to other racial groups, cardiovascular disease onset occurs at an earlier age due to a higher prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors, particularly obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Emerging evidence suggests that heritable epigenetic processes are related to increased cardiovascular disease risk, but this is largely unexplored in adolescents or across generations. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive pilot study in low-income African American mother-adolescent dyads, we examined associations between DNA methylation and the cardiometabolic indicators of body mass index, waist circumference, and insulin resistance. Results: Four adjacent cytosine and guanine nucleotides (CpG) sites were significantly differentially methylated and associated with C-reactive protein (CRP), 62 with waist circumference, and none to insulin resistance in models for both mothers and adolescents. Conclusion: Further study of the relations among psychological and environmental stressors, indicators of cardiovascular disease, risk, and epigenetic factors will improve understanding of cardiovascular disease risk so that preventive measures can be instituted earlier and more effectively. To our knowledge this work is the first to examine DNA methylation and cardiometabolic risk outcomes in mother-adolescent dyads.

scholarly journals The Use of Precision Nutrition Among African Americans With Chronic Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 993-993
Author(s):  
Linda Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
African Ancestry ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Blood Cholesterol ◽  
Counseling Session ◽  
Personalized Nutrition

Abstract Objectives To characterize the effects of precision nutrition on dietary behavior change, weight, and waist circumference. To examine perceptions of receiving a personalized nutrition plan. Methods Food as Medicine Phase II is a pilot study that measured the effectiveness of incorporating precision nutrition to improve chronic disease management in a cohort of 24 low income African Americans with either pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, elevated blood cholesterol levels, obesity or a combination of these disorders. Anthropometric measures and a food questionnaire were collected pre/post study. DNA samples were obtained from each participant and analyzed at Howard University on SNPs related to nutrient metabolism. Results from the DNA tests were incorporated in a detailed personal nutrition plan developed for each participant. Plans were presented and discussed during an initial individual face-to-face counseling session. Due to COVID 19, a second counseling session was conducted via Zoom. For three months after the 2nd counseling session, participants received weekly text messages reinforcing the information received. Results Participants reported significant improvements in their intake of most recommended foods. Reductions in weight, waist circumference, and in the reported intake of non-recommended foods and beverages were not significant. Most participants either strongly agreed (14) or agreed (4) that the personalized nutrition plan provided useful information. The coronavirus pandemic was mentioned by 20% of participants as a barrier to following their personalized nutrition plan recommendations. Conclusions The results suggest that a personalized approach in providing dietary recommendations utilizing precision nutrition has the potential to increase self-efficacy and improve dietary intake among low income African Americans with chronic disease. It also demonstrated that it is feasible to recruit and retain individuals of African ancestry to participate in an investigation that assesses and discloses gene-associated disease risk. Funding Sources Ardmore Institute of Health

Monitoring the Impact of Family Health Benefits for Low-Income Families

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trish Livingstone ◽  
Lisa Lix ◽  
Mary McNutt ◽  
Evan Morris ◽  
William Osei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Collecting data by telephone from low-income African Americans

2007 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy T. Artinian ◽  
Doris Denison ◽  
Cheryl K. Nordstrom
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
Low Income

scholarly journals BMI and Coronary Heart Disease Risk Among Low-Income and Underinsured Diabetic Patients

Diabetes Care ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 3204-3212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Li ◽  
Peter T. Katzmarzyk ◽  
Ronald Horswell ◽  
Yonggang Zhang ◽  
Weiqin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Coronary Heart Disease Risk ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Heart Disease Risk

scholarly journals Knowledge and understanding of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Sierra Leone: a qualitative study of patients’ and community leaders’ perceptions

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e038523
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Ignatowicz ◽  
Maria Lisa Odland ◽  
Tahir Bockarie ◽  
Haja Wurie ◽  
Rashid Ansumana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
Major Barrier

ObjectivesPrevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRF) is increasing, especially in low-income countries. In Sierra Leone, there are no previous studies on the knowledge and the awareness of these conditions in the community. This study aimed to explore the knowledge and understanding of CVDRF, as well as the perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to accessing care for these conditions, among patients and community leaders in Sierra Leone.DesignQualitative study employing semistructured interviews and focus group discussions.SettingUrban and rural Bo District, Sierra Leone.ParticipantsInterviews with a purposive sample of 37 patients and two focus groups with six to nine community leaders.ResultsWhile participants possessed general knowledge of their conditions, the level and complexity of this knowledge varied widely. There were clear gaps in knowledge regarding the coexistence of CVDRF and their consequences, as well as the link between behavioural factors and CVDRF. An overarching theme from the data was the need to create an understanding and awareness of CVDRF in the community in order to prevent and improve management of these conditions. Cost was also seen as a major barrier to accessing care for CVDRFs.ConclusionsThe knowledge gaps identified in this study highlight the need to design strategies and interventions that improve knowledge and recognition of CVDRF in the community. Interventions should specifically consider how to develop and enhance awareness about CVDRF and their consequences. They should also consider how patients seek help and where they access it.

Communicating Reform: Testing an Apology for Police History as a Supplement to a Policy Communication

2021 ◽  
pp. 027507402110488
Author(s):  
Mark Benton
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Community Policing ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mechanical Turk ◽  
Police Legitimacy ◽  
Policy Communication ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk ◽  
Vignette Experiment

Policing in the United States has a racist history, with negative implications for its legitimacy among African Americans today. Legitimacy is important for policing's effective operations. Community policing may improve policing's legitimacy but is difficult to implement with fidelity and does not address history. An apology for policing's racist history may work as a legitimizing supplement to community policing. On the other hand, an apology may be interpreted as words without changes in practices. Using a survey vignette experiment on Amazon's Mechanical Turk to sample African Americans, this research tests the legitimizing effect of a supplemental apology for historical police racism during a community policing policy announcement. Statistical findings suggest that supplementing the communication with an apology imparted little to no additional legitimacy on policing among respondents. Qualitative data suggested a rationale: Apologies need not indicate future equitable behavior or policy implementation, with implementation itself seeming crucial for police legitimacy improvements.

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