Search Results (197)

Background: Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) has proven effective in promoting health research in hard-to-recruit and underserved populations. Tai Chi Prime is a National Council on Aging-certified fall prevention program. However, it has not been widely disseminated in African American (AA)/Black and Latinx communities. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), this study examined the process of working with a community advisory board (CAB) to adapt and disseminate Tai Chi Prime within these communities, as well as facilitators and barriers to CAB success. Methods: Eight CAB members met with researchers monthly virtually over a two-year period. Meetings focused on reviewing Tai Chi Prime materials, discussing cultural adaptations, and identifying dissemination strategies relevant to AA/Black and Latinx communities. Detailed notes from 24 meetings were compiled. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five CAB members and two researchers to capture individual reflections on their experiences, roles, and perceived impact. Data was analyzed using directed content analysis. Results: CFIR constructs helped illuminate how CAB members’ embedded community expertise, organizational partnerships, available resources, shared vision and transparent communication influenced the cultural adaptation and dissemination of Tai Chi Prime. Study findings also highlight important areas that extend beyond CFIR, particularly the cultural knowledge and power-sharing responsibilities undertaken by CAB members as co-researchers. These insights underscore the need to integrate equity-focused and community-engaged research principles into implementation frameworks when working with communities of color. Conclusions: Findings highlight the value of leveraging existing academic–community partnerships. Community-engaged researchers can use the lessons learned from this CAB to build a replicable model of sustainable partnerships with their AA/Black and Latinx community partners, as can others involved in health services research and policy. Full article

Background: Prenatal depression, affecting up to a quarter of all pregnancies in the United States, contributes to morbidity and mortality and is associated with increased risk of adverse birth and long-term mental health outcomes. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs, or experiences of abuse, neglect, or family dysfunction experienced prior to age 18) are a strong predictor of adult depression and adverse health outcomes. The present study investigated whether epigenetic modification in the form of DNA methylation (DNAm) of four stress-related, glucocorticoid pathway genes (CRH, CRHR1, FKBP5, NR3C1) mediates associations between ACEs and depressive symptoms among Black pregnant women. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we examined the mediating role of DNAm on the relationship between depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)) and ACEs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 10-item questionnaire), in a subsample (n = 61) of Black pregnant women who were participants of the Biosocial Impacts of Black Births (BIBB) study. Results: A significant association was found between ACEs and depressive symptoms scores (TE α_X = 2.29 with p_TE = 6.60 × 10⁵). DNAm on five CpG sites within two genes significantly mediated the relationship between ACEs and depressive symptoms (cg03238273 on CRHR1, and cg08845721, cg16594263, cg19820298, and cg23430507 on NR3C1). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that DNAm partially mediated the association of ACEs and depressive symptoms during pregnancy among Black pregnant women. Understanding the molecular pathways underlying the mediating effect of ACEs on depressive symptoms among Black pregnant women can illuminate biological markers that help identify and treat pregnant women who are at an increased risk for depression following childhood trauma. Full article

Background: The United States Dietary Guidelines (USDG) form the basis of federal nutrition programs/policies for Americans. There has been little work to ensure that the presentation of the USDG are culturally acceptable and relevant for African Americans (AAs). This study aimed to explore the acceptability and perceptions of a randomized intervention among AA adults adhering to unmodified dietary patterns outlined in the USDG (Healthy US, Mediterranean, Vegetarian). Methods: Qualitative focus groups were conducted with participants from a USDG-based intervention, the Dietary Guidelines: 3 Diets study (DG3D). Six focus group discussions were conducted with AA adults in the Southeastern US in December 2021, after completion of the 12-week DG3D intervention. Verbatim transcripts were coded thematically and analyzed in Nvivo12 using an iterative constant comparative method. Results: Participants (n = 42; median age 52 years, range 26–65, 16 Healthy US, 17 Mediterranean, 9 Vegetarian) shared their perspectives and experiences adopting USDG dietary patterns and reported barriers and facilitators to adopting dietary change. Discussions elicited insights into the cultural relevance of the USDG and dietary intervention. Participants also described their recommended changes to the USDG-based intervention to enhance program implementation and successful dietary change. Conclusions: Study findings suggest that adaptations to the USDG dietary patterns are needed to ensure cultural relevance for AA adults in the US. This study can inform the development of culturally relevant dietary guidelines and intervention programs. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term adaptation and growth performance of 50 species introduced in 1991 on the island of Porto Santo, Madeira Archipelago, in order to guide afforestation and soil restoration under the island’s arid conditions, especially in biosphere reserves. The experiment was conducted in Alentejo, Pico Juliana and Matinho, three sites with different types of elevation, soil and exposure. A total of 502 experimental units (five plants each) were established with a completely randomized design in the three sites in 1991 to test the adaptation of 50 species from Mediterranean, African, Australian and American dry climates. Plants were grown in local nursery conditions and planted in rows with 1 × 4 m spacing. Soil properties were analyzed, and survival and growth (height and stem diameter) were monitored in 1991, 1992 and 2025. An analysis of variance was performed for the whole experiment, with the three sites showing significant differences in survival and height among species and sites thirty-four years after the planting. Some species showed high survival and growth, such as Pinus halepensis, Eucalyptus sideroxylon and Casuarina cunninghamiana. Others, like Schinus terebinthifolius and Thevetia neriifolia, showed good adaptation, and invasive behavior at the best sites, but their performance was strongly dependent on site conditions, with Alentejo being the most limiting site. This study demonstrates the long-term value of forest experiments and of long-term monitoring, providing rare data on species adaptation under semi-arid insular conditions. The findings support future afforestation strategies focusing on ecological suitability and invasiveness risk. Full article

Background: African American (AA)/Black and Latinx communities have limited access to evidence-based fall prevention programs such as Tai Chi Prime (TCP). Community-led interventions that incorporate peer support are cost-effective and sustainable. Using the Treatment Fidelity Framework (TFF) and a mixed-methods research approach, we evaluated the training and support given to trainees during the TCP leader training pathway process and their subsequent fidelity in delivering six culturally tailored community courses. Methods: Trainees completed feedback forms after each TCP leader training pathway course. Using a fidelity checklist, a TCP master trainer rated six community TCP classes led by race- and language-concordant leaders. Trainees were invited to participate in virtual one-on-one semi-structured interviews to share their perspectives on the appropriateness and relevance of the TCP leader training pathway and their experience leading community TCP classes. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics on Microsoft Excel. Three study team members coded qualitative data using directed content analysis approach. Results: Twenty-five candidates enrolled in the TCP leader training. Forty-eight percent identified as AA/Black while 52% identified as Latinx. Eleven trainees (six AA/Black and five Latinx) completed the entire TCP leader training pathway to become certified TCP leaders. Trainees rated the training process as highly satisfactory and appropriate. Leaders from both communities received high fidelity scores for community course delivery. Conclusions: Findings contribute to the existing literature, particularly regarding how to effectively disseminate and evaluate a culturally tailored TCP leader training and certification process for culturally diverse communities while maintaining fidelity to the curriculum. Full article

Background/Objectives: A combination of cervical cancer prevention education and the provision of HPV self-collection kits has been found to increase the uptake of HPV testing among women. However, there is limited research evaluating the perspectives and experiences of women who have participated in a cancer prevention education and received a complimentary HPV self-collection kit. We report the experiences of women who took part in Health is Wealth: a cervical health intervention and received a complimentary HPV self-sampling kit for cervical cancer screening. Methods: This pilot qualitative study enrolled twenty-four women who participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews to provide feedback and recommendations for improving future iterations of the intervention. Results: Overall, themes related to women’s experiences include empowerment and connections; enlightenment; and accessibility and engagement. In addition, themes related to HPV self-collection include, not as difficult as I thought; convenience; and fear. Our findings suggest that a tailored intervention, which delivers cervical cancer education alongside complementary HPV self-sampling kits while addressing unique barriers experienced by minoritized groups, was well received by African American and African-born Black women. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that a culturally adapted intervention combining cervical cancer education with HPV self-sampling kits was positively received by African American and African-born Black women. This emphasizes the interventions’ potential to improve screening uptake by addressing unique barriers and promoting empowerment, convenience, and accessibility. Full article

This study explores the impact of gender, engineering experiences, and role models on high school students’ overall STEM interests and perceptions of engineering. A survey with Likert-scale and open-ended questions was given to 96 high school students (51 female, 45 male; 83% African American, 8% white, and 8% other races) in grades 9–12. We developed a scale measuring STEM interest, mathematical problem-solving confidence, misconceptions about engineering, perceptions of STEM, and self-efficacy. The STEM Dimension Survey (SDS) has a strong Cronbach alpha (= 0.96) and inter-coder agreement (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.77). ANOVA analysis on open response categories and the survey indicates that gender had a relatively small but statistically significant effect on STEM interest, with female students reporting slightly lower interest levels than male students. Students with prior engineering-related experiences demonstrated significantly higher STEM interest and more positive perceptions of engineering, but did not differ in self-efficacy or misconceptions. Notably, 63% of students reported no role model in STEM, and these students consistently reported lower interest, confidence, and self-efficacy. In contrast, those who identified role models reported significantly more positive STEM outcomes across all dimensions. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing students’ lived experiences and their definitions of engineering rather than relying solely on adult-defined narratives. Engineering-related experiences and role model presence are strongly linked to students’ interest and confidence in STEM. Full article

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exacerbated food insecurity in the United States, with older adults facing heightened vulnerability due to fixed incomes, chronic illness, and limited mobility. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 4961 urban U.S. adults aged 65 and older. Food insecurity was assessed using the USDA Six-Item Short Form. Paired sample t-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine demographic predictors of food insecurity before and during the pandemic. Results: Logistic regression indicated that race and income were significant predictors of food insecurity. African American and Hispanic participants were 92.1% and 126.4%, respectively, more likely to experience food insecurity than White participants (p < 0.001). Compared with those earning less than USD 50,000, participants earning USD 50,000–USD 100,000 and USD 100,000+ were 32.4% and 63.8% less likely to experience food insecurity (p < 0.001). Bivariate analyses showed that food insecurity increased most among African Americans (9.2%) and middle-income participants (USD 50,000–USD 100,000: 11.0%). Education did not remain significant in the adjusted model. Conclusions: Older adults of color and those with lower incomes were disproportionately impacted by food insecurity during the pandemic. The findings highlight the need for targeted, equity-driven policy responses to mitigate food insecurity in older adulthood. Full article

The Black Church has historically functioned as both a spiritual sanctuary and a catalyst for sociopolitical transformation within African American communities. This article investigates how ecclesiological identity has evolved in diaspora contexts, particularly through the lens of the African American experience. Tracing its roots from African spiritual traditions and the era of slavery, through emancipation, the Great Migration, and the Civil Rights Movement, to the digital age and megachurch phenomenon, the Black Church has continually adapted to shifting cultural, theological, and social landscapes. Using a multidisciplinary approach that includes historical theology, sociology, and cultural analysis, this study explores how these adaptations reveal an ecclesiology grounded in liberation, justice, and resilience. Theologically, this paper contends that the Black Church’s ecclesial model offers a prophetic and globally relevant witness that challenges systemic injustice while inspiring communal hope. In examining both past and present adaptations, the article contributes to broader conversations around diasporic faith identity, theological innovation, and the global role of the Black Church. Full article

Background/Objective: Insomnia is a clinically important symptom in Long COVID; however, few studies have addressed the presentation and course of insomnia symptoms in patients with Long COVID. Methods: The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was administered as part of a comprehensive baseline neuropsychological evaluation (Time 1) for patients with Long COVID at an Academic Medical Center (AMC). Data were gathered on 172 consecutively referred patients between the dates of November 2020 and May 2022. The mean age of patients at Time 1 was 49 years (range: 18 to 78), with a mean of 15 years of education. Patients were 70% female and 30% male and identified as White/Caucasian (78%), Black/African American (21%), or American Indian (1%). Patients’ severity of COVID-19 infection and self-reported emotional, somatic, cognitive, and fatigue symptoms were also gathered to identify concomitant risk factors for insomnia in Long COVID. Patients were then followed to observe the natural trajectory of insomnia complaints in Long COVID, with the Time 2 evaluation a mean of 9 months after the Time 1 evaluation. Results: Seventy-eight percent of Long COVID patients reported insomnia symptoms at Time 1, with 30% reporting Subthreshold Insomnia symptoms (ISI Score = 8–14), 30% reporting Moderate Insomnia symptoms (ISI Score = 15–21), and 18% reporting Severe Clinical Insomnia (ISI Score = 22–28). Severity of acute COVID-19 infection was not correlated with severity of insomnia in Long COVID; however, being non-white (r = 0.24, n = 172, p < 0.01) and having higher self-reported levels of anxiety (r = 0.41, n = 172, p < 0.01), depression (r = 0.52, n = 172, p < 0.01), perceived stress (r = 0.38, n = 172, p < 0.01), somatic symptoms (r = 0.51, n = 172, p < 0.01), cognitive failures, and fatigue were significantly correlated with insomnia symptoms. Insomnia was also significantly correlated with lower global cognitive function (r = 0.51, n = 172, p < 0.01) and lower cognitive flexibility (r = −0.17, n = 172, p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant decrease in reported ISI scores from Time 1 to Time 2 (t = −3.04; p = 0.003); however, ISI mean scores at both Time 1 (ISI Score = 14) and Time 2 (ISI Score = 12) remained in the Subthreshold Insomnia range (ISI score 8–14). Conclusions: Findings suggest that a large majority of Long COVID patients experience insomnia symptoms. Additionally, insomnia symptoms did not dissipate over time in a clinically meaningful way and were highly correlated with reduced global cognitive function, reduced cognitive flexibility, and higher levels of reported mood symptoms, fatigue, somatic symptoms, and experience of cognitive failures. Thus, there is a pressing need for intervention strategies to treat insomnia in Long COVID patients. Full article

The article examines how discourses of race and ancestry interact with both everyday life and the Vodun religion in southern Benin. The researcher uses ethnographic methods to illuminate how discourses of race are unfolding within the racially homogenous country of Benin in West Africa. The researcher examines the Fon terms mewi (Black or African) and yovó (White or non-African) to analyze how Beninese work to situate themselves within larger racial and continental categories. The researcher is also reflexive of her experiences as an African-American in Benin to understand the nuances of Black racial identity. The author argues that Beninese are consistently engaged in their own racialization processes of those who fall outside of the mewi category. Moreover, the Vodun divinities themselves are also able to categorize those who are or are not mewi. This work highlights how ideas of ancestry are relevant to both Black racial identity and Vodun. Full article

Throughout history, communities have struggled to build homes in places actively hostile to their presence, a challenge long faced by African descendants in the American diaspora. In cities across the U.S., including Washington, D.C., efforts have often been made to erase Black cultural identity. D.C., once a hub of Black culture, saw its urban fabric devastated during the 1968 riots following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Since then, redevelopment has been slow and, more recently, marked by gentrification, which has further displaced Black communities. Amid this context, Black architects such as Michael Marshall, FAIA, and Sean Pichon, AIA, have emerged as visionary leaders. Their work exemplifies Value-Inclusive Design and aligns with Roberto Verganti’s Design-Driven Innovation by embedding cultural relevance and community needs into development projects. These architects propose an intentional approach that centers Black identity and brings culturally meaningful businesses into urban redevelopment, shifting the paradigm of design practice in D.C. This collective case study (methodology) argues that their work represents a distinct architectural style, Black Modernism, characterized by cultural preservation, community engagement, and spatial justice. This research examines two central questions: Where does Black Modernism begin, and where does it end? How does it fit within and expand beyond the broader American Modernist architectural movement? It explores the consequences of the destruction of Black communities, the lived experiences of Black architects, and how those experiences are reflected in their designs. Additionally, the research suggests that the work of Black architects aligns with heutagogical pedagogy, which views community stakeholders not just as beneficiaries, but as educators and knowledge-holders in architectural preservation. Findings reveal that Black Modernism, therefore, is not only a design style but a method of reclaiming identity, telling untold histories, and building more inclusive cities. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sexual health research involving young adolescents remains scarce despite rising rates of early sexual debut, pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in this population. We explored community stakeholders’ perspectives on engaging young adolescents in sexual health research in Western New York to inform strategies for engaging young adolescents in sexual health research. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study was conducted from April 2022 to June 2023. Seventeen community stakeholders, including health education teachers, youth counselors, and adolescent health providers, participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis, managed by MAXQDA 2020. The rigor and trustworthiness of the data were ensured through triangulation with observations, peer debriefing, team analysis, and respondent validation. Results: Participants were predominantly female (94.1%), 52.9% Black/African American, 41.2% White, and 5.9% Caucasian–Indian American, and aged 23–59 years. Four themes emerged: perspectives on conducting sexual health research with young adolescents, recruitment strategies, sexual health questions appropriate for young adolescents, and building readiness for participation in sexual health research. Participants reported the need for sexual health research with young adolescents and recommended building a trusting relationship and involving schools, parents, and trusted community organizations in the research process. Suggested research questions included those related to awareness of sex, STIs, available resources, experiences with sexual education, and desired support. The findings also revealed the need to initiate sexual health conversations early when children start asking questions, as a foundation for meaningful participation in sexual health research. Conclusions: The findings suggest that sexual health research with young adolescents is feasible and necessary, with implications for the design of developmentally appropriate sexual health research and interventions grounded in trust and community collaboration. Future research should explore the perspectives of caregivers and young adolescents to inform studies and programs that are attuned to young adolescents’ developmental needs. Full article

With the need to ensure equitable and inclusive computer science (CS) education for K-12 students, much effort has been devoted to promoting secondary CS teachers’ practices and pedagogies. However, there is a lack of focus on elementary teachers’ experiences, especially those of teachers of color. This study stands at the intersections of Black/African American teachers teaching at an elementary school with a majority of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students (Black/African Americans and Hispanic/Latinx). Using a basic qualitative approach with constant comparative analysis, this study revealed important insights regarding the professional growth manifested by six teachers of color over the course of computer science professional development and classroom implementation. Data analysis revealed five main themes reflecting the teachers’ growth: (1) Teachers reported positive outcomes including improved understanding, confidence, and intentions regarding CS integration as a result of attending PD; (2) Teachers demonstrated enhanced abilities to use a variety of tools and resources in CS teaching after PD; (3) Teachers discussed various pedagogies, including culturally and personally responsive pedagogical practices, and racial awareness to promote inclusive instruction in the classroom and used strategies to promote personal relevance more than the collective cultural values or beliefs in CS teaching specifically; (4) Teachers reported having ongoing reflections on how they can implement successful CS-integrated instruction with their enhanced knowledge and beliefs; (5) Positive student outcomes were both reported by the teachers and observed by the researchers as a result of teachers’ experimentation, which gave the teachers more confidence to enact CS teaching. Areas for improvement were also identified. This paper discussed the important implementations of fostering professional growth in teachers of color for broadening minoritized students’ participation in computing. Full article

This community-based participatory research (CBPR) study explored, using a Photovoice methodology, the lived expeiences of northeastern Black and/or African American youth and mothers who were currently experiencing the incarceration of their fathers and husbands. Grounded in critical theories of dual consciousness and comparative conflict, the findings provide valuable insights into how this population navigates the intersections of family, school, and community within the context of the criminal legal system, and, in the process, underscore the relevance of Abolitionist practice in capturing their theoretically lived experiences. Participants documented through photography and narrative reflections the multifaceted impacts of incarceration on fathers and husbands, including disrupted family dynamics, social stigma, and barriers to community resources. A focus group with the mothers of these youth highlighted the profound impact of incarceration on their family structure, revealing significant emotional burdens for caregivers as well as personal changes to parenting styles as a result of this project. A central theme that emerged was the development of a “double” or “dual consciousness”—an ability to see humanity and injustice in their circumstances, fueling a desire for systemic change. Overall, this CBPR project amplifies the voices of marginalized youth and mothers, illuminating how the criminal legal system perpetuates cycles of trauma, stigma, and disempowerment. The implications call for a radical reimagining of the role of social work in creating more equitable, restorative, and healing-centered communities, including an immediate embrace of Abolitionist practice concepts and interventions. Full article