Research Design and Methods in Community Team Lifestyle Immersion Program for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control

Abstract

Persisting disparities in the control of chronic diseases are linked to several barriers to health prevention, including cultural norms, insufficient attention to health education, lack of access to physical activity, large serving portions, and excess added sodium and sugar by the food industry and restaurants [1]. In line with lifestyle modifications proposed for several decades [2, 3, 4, 5], the goal of this study is to develop and evaluate the efficacy of a Lifestyle Immersion intervention for chronic disease control. The study will be conducted in two settings, the community and the health facility, thus addressing the individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels. This study introduces the team concept in health behavior modification. It will compare the effectiveness of interventions among participants in the study's intervention arm (Team Arm) and the control group (Individual Arm).

Participants will undergo a 6 month intervention adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association's recommendations for blood pressure control and cardiovascular health. Participants will receive education to increase relevant knowledge and training to develop the necessary skills, in addition to strategies for successfully adhering to LS7 and the DASH [6]. The primary study outcomes are systolic and diastolic blood pressure changes measured at enrollment and follow-up at 6 and 12 months. The secondary outcome measures include LS7 and DASH adherence scores at 6 and 12 months, as well as other pre-specified outcomes such as A1c, which assesses nutritional status at 6 and 12 months. The evidence for the effectiveness of lifestyle modification and the primary outcome of the study is controlling blood pressure through lifestyle modifications and promoting optimal health, particularly concerning African American populations [3, 10].