Purpose

The investigators propose to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the peer-led CARE Intervention designed to mitigate health differences among rural and low-income communities in Texas. This intervention leverages the expertise of Community Health Workers (CHWs) to empower rural and low-income communities, improving health outcomes through outreach, education, counseling, and social support.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 49 Years
Eligible Sex
Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Females between the ages of 18-49 - Self-report at least one risk factor cardiovascular disease (e.g. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight, and family history of heart disease). - Reside in one of the priority communities will be eligible to participate in the study. - Meet minimum digital literacy criteria, defined as having a working and readily accessible email address and using a smart device daily for texting, calling, and checking email. Priority communities for the South Texas site include Harris, Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy, Starr, and Nueces counties plus surrounding coastal communities served by South Coastal AHEC.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Those not meeting the inclusion criteria will not be eligible to participate

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Prevention
Masking
Single (Participant)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
CARE Intervention Arm
Participants will have up to 60 minute scripted health conversations with a Community Health Worker (CHW) across four visits to leverage opportunities during conversations to address flawed information and provide accurate information about quality of life, wellness, and mental health (Session #1); blood pressure (Session #2); nutrition (Session #3); and physical activity (Session #4).
  • Behavioral: Conversations Advancing Resilience and Empowerment (CARE)
    Health promotion intervention to address chronic disease risk
No Intervention
CARE Control Arm
Participants in the control group will receive no intervention, but will be invited to participate in the intervention (health education sessions) after the 6-month follow-up period has been completed.

Recruiting Locations

The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, Texas 78539
Contact:
Lindsey Simon, Assistant Director Regulatory Clinical Research
9562968723
lindsey.simon@utrgv.edu

CAN DO Houston
Houston, Texas 77025
Contact:
Jasmine J Opusunju, DrPH, MSEd
832-405-5451
jasmine.opusunju@candohouston.org

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Study Contact

Candace A Dr. Robledo, PhD, MPH
9562961615
Candace.robledo@utrgv.edu

Detailed Description

The investigators will employ a randomized controlled trial through which individual participants will be randomized to either the intervention or control group. Randomization will be achieved by employing a computer program containing a random number generator (e.g., R). Given the study will be conducted at two sites (Rio Grande Valley and Harris County), randomization and subsequent clinical trials will be conducted independently at each site for feasibility and practicability. Participants in the control group will receive no intervention, but will be invited to receive health education sessions after the follow-up period has ended at 6-months post intervention. Trained interventionists (e.g., CHWs) will deliver the intervention across four in-person visits and provide verbal reinforcement using implementation scripts, evidence-based skills (e.g., motivational interviewing, protocol-based counseling, health education) to leverage opportunities during conversations with participants to address flawed information and provide accurate information about quality of life-wellness-mental health (Session #1), blood pressure (Session #2), nutrition (Session #3), and physical activity (Session #4). Interventionists will utilize their CARE facilitators guide with embedded scripts to address inaccurate information on quality of life-wellness-mental health, blood pressure, nutrition, and physical activity and gently challenge/provide accurate information and sources. Throughout the study period, the participants will complete the CARE + CS4 survey online via a Qualtrics or REDcap link for both study arms at 4 (four) timepoints: baseline, post-intervention, 3 months after intervention, and 6 months after intervention. The CARE + CS4 survey is a153 item questionnaire that will evaluate Health-related Quality of Life; Flawed information, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs; Health Behavior (Measuring and monitoring blood pressure), physical activity, nutrition, sleep); Physical and Mental Wellbeing; Social Needs, and Healthcare Utilization among participants.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.