The future has so much potential as REACH Up and Out hopes to continue to make an impact on the lives of Black women in the Deep South. </p><div>
<p><img src="https://www.uab.edu/news/images/2018/Reach_up_and_out_Stream.jpg" alt="Connect with the stream" width="550" height="415" style="margin-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right;"/>Rural communities in the Deep South often lack healthy food options and fitness resources. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Minority and Health Research Center recently concluded successful implementation of a transformational initiative to address health disparities and promote healthy eating and physical activity among Black women, ages 18 and older, living in rural Alabama and Mississippi.
REACH Up and Out: Towards a Healthier Lifestyle is a five-week community-led, evidence-based participatory intervention that empowers Black women to improve their own health by fostering a vibrant social support group. The flexibly designed program allows community groups to conduct sessions on their own schedules, lowering barriers to participation. The environment inspires women to create meaningful relationships while working together on their wellness journeys.
The research program was originally developed and implemented by Isabelle Scarinci, Ph.D., Professor at UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, from November 2009 through October 2011. The initial implementation of the program recruited black women ages 45-65 in a randomized trial and evaluated the promotion of healthy eating and activity physical. The program teaches practical and sustainable ways to live a healthier lifestyle, with topics such as assessing current habits, nutrition, physical activity, eating out, and stress management. At the 24-month follow-up, positive changes with eating behaviours, but not with physical activity engagement, were maintained.
Laurie Bateman, Ph.D.
Photo by Lexi KuhnThe Center for Obesity Health Disparities Research at UAB, a center funded by grants from the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, supported the most recent implementation of the RUO program as a pilot project. This application has been modified as a train-the-trainer model, transforming it from an academic center-led program to a community-led approach. Based on the evidence-based findings of the research experience, the goal of this program was to create and educate a network of community partners who have the ability to effectively integrate the curriculum within their institutions.
The first step in any community engagement activity is to listen to the community. Laurie Bateman, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Abhayo University and senior investigator at RUO, conducted focus groups in Selma, Alabama; Jackson, Mississippi; and New Orleans, Louisiana.
The aim of these focus groups was to identify barriers and facilitators to successful implementation within these communities. Program implementation is tailored to each community, and trusted community partners are selected for its implementation. Rural Health Medical, Inc. , at Selma and Shanks Health, Housing, Employment, Education, Training and Services in Jackson to lead the program in their areas. MHERC facilitators trained supervisors from each organization, who in turn trained their own community health workers to direct the classes.
The effect was immediate, with participants reporting significant positive changes. Participants saw a decrease in their consumption of fried foods and an increase in their consumption of fruits and vegetables. Increased physical activity has also been reported. The community-owned intervention provides support and promotes participants’ dedication to adopting a healthier lifestyle.
MHERC and OHDRC are grateful for their community partners to help engage African American women in prioritizing their health and well-being.
“Translating evidence-based health promotion initiatives into programs that can be easily implemented by local organizations with few resources is an important strategy for improving health among populations with health disparities,” Pittman said. “We are pleased to learn that the local partners in our pilot implemented the program successfully and that the participants were able to make positive changes toward improving their health during the program.”
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