Effects of Integrated Risk Counseling for Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease in African Americans

Abstract

Objective We evaluated a risk counseling intervention designed to enhance understanding about risk factors for cancer and cardiovascular disease, to improve self-efficacy for diet and physical activity, and to increase intentions to eat healthier and be physically active. Methods We conducted a quasi-experimental study developed by academic investigators and community stakeholders to evaluate the effects of integrated risk counseling in a community-based sample of African American adults (n = 101). The intervention provided education about the overlap in risk factors for cancer and cardiovascular disease and included components from motivational interviewing. Results Changes in behavioral intentions were not statistically significant (p > .05). Participants reported significantly greater levels of self-efficacy for diet (t = 2.25, p = .03) and physical activity (t = 2.55, p = .01), and significantly increased perceived risks of developing colon cancer (χ2 = 3.86, p = .05) and having a heart attack (χ2 = 4.50, p = .03). Conclusions Integrated risk counseling may have some benefits among African Americans.

Collective Efficacy and Obesity-Related Health Behaviors in a Community Sample of African Americans

“…27,28,33,34 Various aspects of the social environment have been addressed in previous health behavior interventions through programming in which participants are asked to complete study activities with a support person or friend, or in which the intervention is delivered in a group setting. 20,35,36 Interventions that specifically target individuals who live in public housing units or work in particular settings are other examples of programs that address aspects of the social environment. 37,38 Targeted interventions and those that address social support and interpersonal relationships have an important role to play in health promotion and disease prevention among African Americans, especially since these approaches also provide opportunities for healthy behaviors to be modeled in a supportive environment.…”

“…This research was conducted as part of an academic-community partnership; 20,21 participants were African American men and women who were residents in an urban city. To be eligible for participation, individuals had to be ages 18–75 and be a current resident in the Philadelphia, PA metropolitan area.…”

“…18 To our knowledge, however, the relationship between perceptions of the social environment and fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity has not been evaluated among African Americans while considering psychological and socioeconomic factors that are important to these behaviors. 19,20 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the independent associations between obesity-related health behaviors and perceptions of neighborhood support and cohesion and self-efficacy for diet and physical activity in a community-based sample of African American adults.…”

A comparative effectiveness education trial for lifestyle health behavior change in African Americans

“…Consistent with this approach, we first conducted a multilevel needs assessment with African American residents in the Philadelphia, PA metropolitan area and found that community members were concerned about chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer and wanted greater education about obesity reduction and prevention through lifestyle modification and health behavior change [18]. Next, we used developed an integrated approach for providing education about risk factors for chronic diseases to address the priorities identified by community residents as part of a pilot study [20]. As part of this quasi-experimental study, participants received education about the overlap in risk factors for cancer and CVD and used techniques from motivational interviewing were used to improve selfefficacy for diet and PA.…”

“…As part of this quasi-experimental study, participants received education about the overlap in risk factors for cancer and CVD and used techniques from motivational interviewing were used to improve selfefficacy for diet and PA. Integrated risk factor education led to significant increases in confidence to make behavioral changes in our pilot quasi-experimental design [20]. To further inform the development of an intervention that addressed community priorities, we also examined barriers and facilitators to PA and FV intake in a community-based sample of African Americans who were recruited from the Philadelphia, PA metropolitan area.…”