TITLE:
HEALS: A Faith-Based Hypertension Control Program for African-Americans: A Feasibility Study
AUTHORS:
Sunita Dodani, Sahel Arora, Dale Kraemer
KEYWORDS:
Hypertension, African American, Church-Based, Community-Based Participatory Research, Health Disparity
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Internal Medicine,
Vol.4 No.3,
September
25,
2014
ABSTRACT: Objective: To determine the feasibility of a behavioral faith-based PREMIER study modified hypertension (HTN) control intervention in a semi urban African-American (AA) church. Methods: In a prospective longitudinal study design, a 12-week behavioral HEALS (Healthy Eating and Living Spiritually) intervention was tested for its feasibility and efficacy in a semi urban AA church. High-risk adult church members with HTN were recruited. Program sessions were weekly delivered by the trained church members. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: 22 of 34 subjects (65% retention) provided complete information on the outcome measures. Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) reduction from baseline was 22 mmHg (p