Janice Bowie - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Janice Bowie

The International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 2004

An estimated 10.8 million children under 5 continue to die each year in developing countries from... more An estimated 10.8 million children under 5 continue to die each year in developing countries from causes easily treatable or preventable. Non governmental organizations (NGOs) are frontline implementers of low-cost and effective child health interventions, but their progress toward sustainable child health gains is a challenge to evaluate. This paper presents the Child Survival Sustainability Assessment (CSSA) methodology-a framework and process-to map progress towards sustainable child health from the community level and upward. The CSSA was developed with NGOs through a participatory process of research and dialogue. Commitment to sustainability requires a systematic and systemic consideration of human, social and organizational processes beyond a purely biomedical perspective. The CSSA is organized around three interrelated dimensions of evaluation: (1) health and health services; (2) capacity and viability of local organizations; (3) capacity of the community in its social ecological context. The CSSA uses a participatory, action-planning process, engaging a 'local system' of stakeholders in the contextual definition of objectives and indicators. Improved conditions measured in the three dimensions correspond to progress toward a sustainable health situation for the population. This framework opens new opportunities for evaluation and research design and places sustainability at the center of primary health care programming.

American journal of men's health, Jan 7, 2015

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased significantly and is a particular co... more The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased significantly and is a particular concern for minority men. Studies focused at the community and national levels have reported that geography can play a substantial role in contributing to obesity, but little is known about how regional influences contribute to obesity among men. The objective of this study is to examine the association between geographic region and obesity among men in the United States and to determine if there are racial/ethnic differences in obesity within these geographic regions. Data from men, aged 18 years and older, from the National Health Interview Survey were combined for the years 2000 to 2010. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m(2). Logistic regression models were specified to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between geographic region and obesity and for race and obesity within geographic regions. Compared to men living in th...

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 2005

... Our study sample also contained both African American and White men. ... The burden of the di... more ... Our study sample also contained both African American and White men. ... The burden of the disease is felt most severely among African American men, who experience the disease at a greater rate than White men do (ACS, 2000). For many African American and ...

1019 Central Americans, 39.2% were overweight and 22.2% were obese. Among Mexican American men, a... more 1019 Central Americans, 39.2% were overweight and 22.2% were obese. Among Mexican American men, age and marital status were associated with overweight and obesity; and education, acculturation, health insurance status, health status, and use of vitamins were associated with obesity only. Among Mexican American women, age, education, number of children, health status, and health behavior were associated with overweight and

American journal of men's health, Jan 9, 2015

Racial/ethnic disparities exist in obesity prevalence among men, with Hispanic men exhibiting the... more Racial/ethnic disparities exist in obesity prevalence among men, with Hispanic men exhibiting the highest prevalence compared with non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black men. Most studies do not parse out Hispanic groups; therefore, it is unclear whether the increases in obesity rates among Hispanic men applies to all groups or if there are particular groups of Hispanic men that are driving the increase. The goal of this study is to examine the variations in obesity among men of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and determine if obesity is affected by nativity. The data used in this study were from 11 years (2002-2012) of the National Health Interview Survey. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity, obesity, and nativity. After adjusting for covariates, there are differences in obesity prevalence, with the largest prevalence among Puerto Rican men and Mexican American men. Consistent with previous literature, it has been suggested that men ...

Cancer control: journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center

Although cancer-screening guidelines recommend periodic testing for women 50 years of age and old... more Although cancer-screening guidelines recommend periodic testing for women 50 years of age and older, these tests are underused. A search of databases identified 156 community-based breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening intervention studies published before April 2003. Most were conducted in the United States. More than half used randomization procedures or pre-post measures, and one third used both. Most reported significant intervention effects. Cervical and combined cervical and breast studies had higher rates of pre-post designs, and breast studies had the highest percentage using randomization. Although effective community-based breast and cervical interventions have been conducted, there is an urgent need for amplification of colorectal cancer screening.

Ethnicity & disease

To examine the nature of disparities in hypertension awareness, treatment, and control within a s... more To examine the nature of disparities in hypertension awareness, treatment, and control within a sample of Whites and African Americans living in the same social context and with access to the same health care environment.

The American journal of medicine, Jan 31, 2015

Helping patients control obesity remains a clinical challenge for internists, and African-America... more Helping patients control obesity remains a clinical challenge for internists, and African-Americans experience obesity rates higher than other racial/ethnic groups. To investigate whether a behavioral theory-based mobile health intervention would enhance weight loss when added to standard care among overweight/obese African-American adults. RCT of 124 adults recruited from Baltimore-area African-American churches. Participant follow-up ended March 2013. Participants were randomized to standard care (included one-on-one counseling sessions with a dietitian and a physician) or standard care plus daily tailored text messages for six months. Text messages were delivered in phases: preparation, reinforcement of participant-selected diet and/or exercise goals, reflection, goal integration, weight loss methods, and maintenance. Follow-up visits at 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary outcome was weight change from baseline to end-intervention at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included weight change ...

American journal of men's health, Jan 23, 2015

Racial differences in physical activity among men are well documented; however, little is known a... more Racial differences in physical activity among men are well documented; however, little is known about the impact of marital status on this relationship. Data from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2006 was used to determine whether the association of race and physical activity among men varied by marital status. Marital status was divided into two categories: married and unmarried. Physical activity was determined by the number of minutes per week a respondent engaged in household/yard work, moderate and vigorous activity, or transportation (bicycling and walking) over the past 30 days. The sample included 7,131 African American (29%) and White(71%) men aged 18 years and older. All models were estimated using logistic regression. Because the interaction term of race and marital status was statistically significant (p < .001), the relationship between race, physical activity, and marital status was examined using a variable that reflects the different levels...

Progress in community health partnerships : research, education, and action, 2009

... The Lead Editors, Eugenia Eng – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Richard Lichtens... more ... The Lead Editors, Eugenia Eng – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Richard Lichtenstein – University of Michigan, and Janice Bowie – John Hopkins University, are site directors for the KSHP postdoctoral program in the three schools of public health. ... 2009; 3:XXX-XXX. ...

Journal of Urban Health, 2014

Little is known about how health insurance contributes to the prevalence of chronic disease in th... more Little is known about how health insurance contributes to the prevalence of chronic disease in the overlooked population of low-income urban whites. This study uses cross-sectional data on 491 low-income urban non-elderly non-Hispanic whites from the Exploring Health Disparities in Integrated Communities-Southwest Baltimore (EHDIC-SWB) study to examine the relationship between insurance status and chronic conditions (defined as participant report of ever being told by a doctor they had hypertension, diabetes, stroke, heart attack, anxiety or depression, asthma or emphysema, or cancer). In this sample, 45.8 % were uninsured, 28.3 % were publicly insured, and 25.9 % had private insurance. Insured participants had similar odds of having any chronic condition (odds ratios (OR) 1.06; 95 % confidence intervals (CI) 0.70-1.62) compared to uninsured participants. However, those who had public insurance had a higher odds of reporting any chronic condition compared to the privately insured (OR 2.29; 95 % CI 1.21-4.35). In low-income urban areas, the health of whites is not often considered. However, this is a significant population whose reported prevalence of chronic conditions has implications for the Medicaid expansion and the implementation of health insurance exchanges.

Reports about current residential demolition practices received from residents and plans for larg... more Reports about current residential demolition practices received from residents and plans for large-scale urban redevelopment in East Baltimore provided impetus for this study to assess community concerns and develop approaches to addressing them. This article describes the following themes regarding residents' experiences with demolition and gut rehabilitation of older housing performed as part of urban redevelopment: (1) lack of notification and awareness about protective measures; (2) concerns about environmental and safety hazards; (3) psychosocial impact from displacement, disruption in daily life, and inattention to community concerns; and (4) recommendations to improve redevelopment practices, including ideas to control neighborhood exposure to environmental hazards potentially exacerbated by residential demolition and gut rehabilitation. The findings from focus groups substantiated and deepened our understanding of earlier anecdotal reports of residents' concerns and emphasized the need for including community perceptions and ideas in addressing environmental and psychosocial issues related to urban redevelopment.

Background: 1.3 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Asian Am... more Background: 1.3 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders account for over half of the HBV cases, higher than any other racial/ethnic groups. Asian Americans are often diagnosed with late stage liver cancer because of a lack of knowledge of liver cancer prevention. This study examines the effect of a culturally integrated liver cancer education program on knowledge of HBV infection at the immediate posttest following the intervention. Methods: This intervention is part of an ongoing longitudinal study. To date (2/1/2010), 277 participants from the intervention group have completed a self-administered pretest and posttest following a 60-minute educational program. Participants were recruited from community-based organizations. Paired simple t- test and one way repeated measures ANOVA were used. Results: Knowledge of HBV transmission mode at pretest (M=4.54, SD=2.25) versus at immediate posttest (M=8.79, SD=1.36) was...

Background: Asian Americans have the highest prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection that... more Background: Asian Americans have the highest prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection that leads to significant liver cancer disparities. However, their prevalence of HBV screening remains low due to barriers to access health care and lack of knowledge. We developed a culturally-tailored liver cancer education program to encourage HBV screening in Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese Americans (CKV-As). Purpose: We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally-tailored liver cancer education program in assessing the level of hepatitis B knowledge and HBV screening behaviors within 6-month posttest period. Methods: A total of 877 CKV-As aged 18 and above were recruited from community-based organizations in Maryland and were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received our culturally-tailored education program, while the control group received an English-language brochure. Six months after the program, participants were phone-interviewed a...

Implementation science : IS, 2014

Community-based approaches have been increasing in the effort to raise awareness and early detect... more Community-based approaches have been increasing in the effort to raise awareness and early detection for cancer and other chronic disease. However, many times, such interventions are tested in randomized trials, become evidence-based, and then fail to reach further use in the community. Project HEAL (Health through Early Awareness and Learning) is an implementation trial that aims to compare two strategies of implementing evidence-based cancer communication interventions in African American faith-based organizations. This article describes the community-engaged process of transforming three evidence-based cancer communication interventions into a coherent, branded strategy for training community health advisors with two delivery mechanisms. Peer community health advisors receive training through either a traditional classroom approach (with high technical assistance/support) or a web-based training portal (with low technical assistance/support). We describe the process, outline the ...

Health promotion practice, 2011

The Fostering African American Improvement in Total Health! (FAITH!) Nutrition Education Program ... more The Fostering African American Improvement in Total Health! (FAITH!) Nutrition Education Program is a theory-based, multicomponent health intervention developed and operated in partnership with an East Baltimore church. The program aims to improve eating habits, as well as knowledge and beliefs about healthy eating, among African American adults in order to prevent diseases related to dietary choices. This article addresses the development, design, and formative research that informed the FAITH! program. The main program components are also discussed. Program design used a framework for strategic intervention planning (PRECEDE-PROCEED), and health education theories informed the evaluation process. Formative research was conducted to incorporate the needs and assets of the priority population. The main program components are culturally tailored educational materials, lectures and discussions on diet and related diseases, video presentations on healthy eating, healthy cooking demonst...

Journal of Urban Health, 2014

Disparities in men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s health research may inaccura... more Disparities in men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s health research may inaccurately attribute differences in chronic conditions to race rather than the different health risk exposures in which men live. This study sought to determine whether living in the same social environment attenuates race disparities in chronic conditions among men. This study compared survey data collected in 2003 from black and white men with similar incomes living in a racially integrated neighborhood of Baltimore to data from the 2003 National Health Interview Survey. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated to determine whether race disparities in chronic conditions were attenuated among men living in the same social environment. In the national sample, black men exhibited greater odds of having hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 1.58, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.34, 1.86) and diabetes (OR = 1.62, 95 % CI 1.27-2.08) than white men. In the sample of men living in the same social context, black and white respondents had similar odds of having hypertension (OR = 1.05, 95 % CI 0.70, 1.59) and diabetes (OR = 1.12, 95 % CI 0.57-2.22). There are no race disparities in chronic conditions among low-income, urban men living in the same social environment. Policies and interventions aiming to reduce disparities in chronic conditions should focus on modifying social aspects of the environment.

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 2005

This pilot study explored the influence of religion and spirituality on coping among survivors of... more This pilot study explored the influence of religion and spirituality on coping among survivors of prostate cancer. Thirty-eight men (14 African Americans and 24 Caucasians) completed a self-administered survey; 29 of the men participated in five focus group sessions. Four major themes emerged from these sessions: (1) the beneficial effect of faith or religious belief on coping with the disease,

American Journal of Men's Health, 2014

National data indicate that Black men have higher rates of obesity than White men. Black men also... more National data indicate that Black men have higher rates of obesity than White men. Black men also experience earlier onset of many chronic conditions and premature mortality linked to obesity. Explanations for these disparities have been underexplored, and existing national-level studies may be limited in their ability to explicate these long-standing patterns. National data generally do not account for race differences in risk exposures resulting from racial segregation or the confounding between race and socioeconomic status. Therefore, these differences in obesity may be a function of social environment rather than race. This study examined disparities in obesity among Black and White men living in the same social and environmental conditions, who have similar education levels and incomes using data from the Exploring Health Disparities in Integrated Communities-SWB (EHDIC-SWB) study. The findings were compared with the 2003 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Logistic regression was used to examine the association between race and obesity adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, and health conditions. In the NHIS, Black men had a higher odds of obesity (odds ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval = 1.12-1.49) than White men. However in the EHDIC-SWB, which accounts for social and environmental conditions of where these men live, Black men had similar odds of obesity (odds ratio = 1.06, 95% confidence interval = 0.70-1.62) compared with White men. These data highlight the importance of the role that setting plays in understanding race disparities in obesity among men. Social environment may be a key determinant of health when seeking to understand race disparities in obesity among Black and White men.

American journal of men's health, Jan 7, 2015

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased significantly and is a particular co... more The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased significantly and is a particular concern for minority men. Studies focused at the community and national levels have reported that geography can play a substantial role in contributing to obesity, but little is known about how regional influences contribute to obesity among men. The objective of this study is to examine the association between geographic region and obesity among men in the United States and to determine if there are racial/ethnic differences in obesity within these geographic regions. Data from men, aged 18 years and older, from the National Health Interview Survey were combined for the years 2000 to 2010. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m(2). Logistic regression models were specified to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between geographic region and obesity and for race and obesity within geographic regions. Compared to men living in th...

The International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 2004

An estimated 10.8 million children under 5 continue to die each year in developing countries from... more An estimated 10.8 million children under 5 continue to die each year in developing countries from causes easily treatable or preventable. Non governmental organizations (NGOs) are frontline implementers of low-cost and effective child health interventions, but their progress toward sustainable child health gains is a challenge to evaluate. This paper presents the Child Survival Sustainability Assessment (CSSA) methodology-a framework and process-to map progress towards sustainable child health from the community level and upward. The CSSA was developed with NGOs through a participatory process of research and dialogue. Commitment to sustainability requires a systematic and systemic consideration of human, social and organizational processes beyond a purely biomedical perspective. The CSSA is organized around three interrelated dimensions of evaluation: (1) health and health services; (2) capacity and viability of local organizations; (3) capacity of the community in its social ecological context. The CSSA uses a participatory, action-planning process, engaging a 'local system' of stakeholders in the contextual definition of objectives and indicators. Improved conditions measured in the three dimensions correspond to progress toward a sustainable health situation for the population. This framework opens new opportunities for evaluation and research design and places sustainability at the center of primary health care programming.

American journal of men's health, Jan 7, 2015

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased significantly and is a particular co... more The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased significantly and is a particular concern for minority men. Studies focused at the community and national levels have reported that geography can play a substantial role in contributing to obesity, but little is known about how regional influences contribute to obesity among men. The objective of this study is to examine the association between geographic region and obesity among men in the United States and to determine if there are racial/ethnic differences in obesity within these geographic regions. Data from men, aged 18 years and older, from the National Health Interview Survey were combined for the years 2000 to 2010. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m(2). Logistic regression models were specified to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between geographic region and obesity and for race and obesity within geographic regions. Compared to men living in th...

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 2005

... Our study sample also contained both African American and White men. ... The burden of the di... more ... Our study sample also contained both African American and White men. ... The burden of the disease is felt most severely among African American men, who experience the disease at a greater rate than White men do (ACS, 2000). For many African American and ...

1019 Central Americans, 39.2% were overweight and 22.2% were obese. Among Mexican American men, a... more 1019 Central Americans, 39.2% were overweight and 22.2% were obese. Among Mexican American men, age and marital status were associated with overweight and obesity; and education, acculturation, health insurance status, health status, and use of vitamins were associated with obesity only. Among Mexican American women, age, education, number of children, health status, and health behavior were associated with overweight and

American journal of men's health, Jan 9, 2015

Racial/ethnic disparities exist in obesity prevalence among men, with Hispanic men exhibiting the... more Racial/ethnic disparities exist in obesity prevalence among men, with Hispanic men exhibiting the highest prevalence compared with non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black men. Most studies do not parse out Hispanic groups; therefore, it is unclear whether the increases in obesity rates among Hispanic men applies to all groups or if there are particular groups of Hispanic men that are driving the increase. The goal of this study is to examine the variations in obesity among men of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and determine if obesity is affected by nativity. The data used in this study were from 11 years (2002-2012) of the National Health Interview Survey. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity, obesity, and nativity. After adjusting for covariates, there are differences in obesity prevalence, with the largest prevalence among Puerto Rican men and Mexican American men. Consistent with previous literature, it has been suggested that men ...

Cancer control: journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center

Although cancer-screening guidelines recommend periodic testing for women 50 years of age and old... more Although cancer-screening guidelines recommend periodic testing for women 50 years of age and older, these tests are underused. A search of databases identified 156 community-based breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening intervention studies published before April 2003. Most were conducted in the United States. More than half used randomization procedures or pre-post measures, and one third used both. Most reported significant intervention effects. Cervical and combined cervical and breast studies had higher rates of pre-post designs, and breast studies had the highest percentage using randomization. Although effective community-based breast and cervical interventions have been conducted, there is an urgent need for amplification of colorectal cancer screening.

Ethnicity & disease

To examine the nature of disparities in hypertension awareness, treatment, and control within a s... more To examine the nature of disparities in hypertension awareness, treatment, and control within a sample of Whites and African Americans living in the same social context and with access to the same health care environment.

The American journal of medicine, Jan 31, 2015

Helping patients control obesity remains a clinical challenge for internists, and African-America... more Helping patients control obesity remains a clinical challenge for internists, and African-Americans experience obesity rates higher than other racial/ethnic groups. To investigate whether a behavioral theory-based mobile health intervention would enhance weight loss when added to standard care among overweight/obese African-American adults. RCT of 124 adults recruited from Baltimore-area African-American churches. Participant follow-up ended March 2013. Participants were randomized to standard care (included one-on-one counseling sessions with a dietitian and a physician) or standard care plus daily tailored text messages for six months. Text messages were delivered in phases: preparation, reinforcement of participant-selected diet and/or exercise goals, reflection, goal integration, weight loss methods, and maintenance. Follow-up visits at 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary outcome was weight change from baseline to end-intervention at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included weight change ...

American journal of men's health, Jan 23, 2015

Racial differences in physical activity among men are well documented; however, little is known a... more Racial differences in physical activity among men are well documented; however, little is known about the impact of marital status on this relationship. Data from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2006 was used to determine whether the association of race and physical activity among men varied by marital status. Marital status was divided into two categories: married and unmarried. Physical activity was determined by the number of minutes per week a respondent engaged in household/yard work, moderate and vigorous activity, or transportation (bicycling and walking) over the past 30 days. The sample included 7,131 African American (29%) and White(71%) men aged 18 years and older. All models were estimated using logistic regression. Because the interaction term of race and marital status was statistically significant (p < .001), the relationship between race, physical activity, and marital status was examined using a variable that reflects the different levels...

Progress in community health partnerships : research, education, and action, 2009

... The Lead Editors, Eugenia Eng – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Richard Lichtens... more ... The Lead Editors, Eugenia Eng – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Richard Lichtenstein – University of Michigan, and Janice Bowie – John Hopkins University, are site directors for the KSHP postdoctoral program in the three schools of public health. ... 2009; 3:XXX-XXX. ...

Journal of Urban Health, 2014

Little is known about how health insurance contributes to the prevalence of chronic disease in th... more Little is known about how health insurance contributes to the prevalence of chronic disease in the overlooked population of low-income urban whites. This study uses cross-sectional data on 491 low-income urban non-elderly non-Hispanic whites from the Exploring Health Disparities in Integrated Communities-Southwest Baltimore (EHDIC-SWB) study to examine the relationship between insurance status and chronic conditions (defined as participant report of ever being told by a doctor they had hypertension, diabetes, stroke, heart attack, anxiety or depression, asthma or emphysema, or cancer). In this sample, 45.8 % were uninsured, 28.3 % were publicly insured, and 25.9 % had private insurance. Insured participants had similar odds of having any chronic condition (odds ratios (OR) 1.06; 95 % confidence intervals (CI) 0.70-1.62) compared to uninsured participants. However, those who had public insurance had a higher odds of reporting any chronic condition compared to the privately insured (OR 2.29; 95 % CI 1.21-4.35). In low-income urban areas, the health of whites is not often considered. However, this is a significant population whose reported prevalence of chronic conditions has implications for the Medicaid expansion and the implementation of health insurance exchanges.

Reports about current residential demolition practices received from residents and plans for larg... more Reports about current residential demolition practices received from residents and plans for large-scale urban redevelopment in East Baltimore provided impetus for this study to assess community concerns and develop approaches to addressing them. This article describes the following themes regarding residents' experiences with demolition and gut rehabilitation of older housing performed as part of urban redevelopment: (1) lack of notification and awareness about protective measures; (2) concerns about environmental and safety hazards; (3) psychosocial impact from displacement, disruption in daily life, and inattention to community concerns; and (4) recommendations to improve redevelopment practices, including ideas to control neighborhood exposure to environmental hazards potentially exacerbated by residential demolition and gut rehabilitation. The findings from focus groups substantiated and deepened our understanding of earlier anecdotal reports of residents' concerns and emphasized the need for including community perceptions and ideas in addressing environmental and psychosocial issues related to urban redevelopment.

Background: 1.3 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Asian Am... more Background: 1.3 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders account for over half of the HBV cases, higher than any other racial/ethnic groups. Asian Americans are often diagnosed with late stage liver cancer because of a lack of knowledge of liver cancer prevention. This study examines the effect of a culturally integrated liver cancer education program on knowledge of HBV infection at the immediate posttest following the intervention. Methods: This intervention is part of an ongoing longitudinal study. To date (2/1/2010), 277 participants from the intervention group have completed a self-administered pretest and posttest following a 60-minute educational program. Participants were recruited from community-based organizations. Paired simple t- test and one way repeated measures ANOVA were used. Results: Knowledge of HBV transmission mode at pretest (M=4.54, SD=2.25) versus at immediate posttest (M=8.79, SD=1.36) was...

Background: Asian Americans have the highest prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection that... more Background: Asian Americans have the highest prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection that leads to significant liver cancer disparities. However, their prevalence of HBV screening remains low due to barriers to access health care and lack of knowledge. We developed a culturally-tailored liver cancer education program to encourage HBV screening in Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese Americans (CKV-As). Purpose: We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally-tailored liver cancer education program in assessing the level of hepatitis B knowledge and HBV screening behaviors within 6-month posttest period. Methods: A total of 877 CKV-As aged 18 and above were recruited from community-based organizations in Maryland and were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received our culturally-tailored education program, while the control group received an English-language brochure. Six months after the program, participants were phone-interviewed a...

Implementation science : IS, 2014

Community-based approaches have been increasing in the effort to raise awareness and early detect... more Community-based approaches have been increasing in the effort to raise awareness and early detection for cancer and other chronic disease. However, many times, such interventions are tested in randomized trials, become evidence-based, and then fail to reach further use in the community. Project HEAL (Health through Early Awareness and Learning) is an implementation trial that aims to compare two strategies of implementing evidence-based cancer communication interventions in African American faith-based organizations. This article describes the community-engaged process of transforming three evidence-based cancer communication interventions into a coherent, branded strategy for training community health advisors with two delivery mechanisms. Peer community health advisors receive training through either a traditional classroom approach (with high technical assistance/support) or a web-based training portal (with low technical assistance/support). We describe the process, outline the ...

Health promotion practice, 2011

The Fostering African American Improvement in Total Health! (FAITH!) Nutrition Education Program ... more The Fostering African American Improvement in Total Health! (FAITH!) Nutrition Education Program is a theory-based, multicomponent health intervention developed and operated in partnership with an East Baltimore church. The program aims to improve eating habits, as well as knowledge and beliefs about healthy eating, among African American adults in order to prevent diseases related to dietary choices. This article addresses the development, design, and formative research that informed the FAITH! program. The main program components are also discussed. Program design used a framework for strategic intervention planning (PRECEDE-PROCEED), and health education theories informed the evaluation process. Formative research was conducted to incorporate the needs and assets of the priority population. The main program components are culturally tailored educational materials, lectures and discussions on diet and related diseases, video presentations on healthy eating, healthy cooking demonst...

Journal of Urban Health, 2014

Disparities in men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s health research may inaccura... more Disparities in men&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s health research may inaccurately attribute differences in chronic conditions to race rather than the different health risk exposures in which men live. This study sought to determine whether living in the same social environment attenuates race disparities in chronic conditions among men. This study compared survey data collected in 2003 from black and white men with similar incomes living in a racially integrated neighborhood of Baltimore to data from the 2003 National Health Interview Survey. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated to determine whether race disparities in chronic conditions were attenuated among men living in the same social environment. In the national sample, black men exhibited greater odds of having hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 1.58, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.34, 1.86) and diabetes (OR = 1.62, 95 % CI 1.27-2.08) than white men. In the sample of men living in the same social context, black and white respondents had similar odds of having hypertension (OR = 1.05, 95 % CI 0.70, 1.59) and diabetes (OR = 1.12, 95 % CI 0.57-2.22). There are no race disparities in chronic conditions among low-income, urban men living in the same social environment. Policies and interventions aiming to reduce disparities in chronic conditions should focus on modifying social aspects of the environment.

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 2005

This pilot study explored the influence of religion and spirituality on coping among survivors of... more This pilot study explored the influence of religion and spirituality on coping among survivors of prostate cancer. Thirty-eight men (14 African Americans and 24 Caucasians) completed a self-administered survey; 29 of the men participated in five focus group sessions. Four major themes emerged from these sessions: (1) the beneficial effect of faith or religious belief on coping with the disease,

American Journal of Men's Health, 2014

National data indicate that Black men have higher rates of obesity than White men. Black men also... more National data indicate that Black men have higher rates of obesity than White men. Black men also experience earlier onset of many chronic conditions and premature mortality linked to obesity. Explanations for these disparities have been underexplored, and existing national-level studies may be limited in their ability to explicate these long-standing patterns. National data generally do not account for race differences in risk exposures resulting from racial segregation or the confounding between race and socioeconomic status. Therefore, these differences in obesity may be a function of social environment rather than race. This study examined disparities in obesity among Black and White men living in the same social and environmental conditions, who have similar education levels and incomes using data from the Exploring Health Disparities in Integrated Communities-SWB (EHDIC-SWB) study. The findings were compared with the 2003 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Logistic regression was used to examine the association between race and obesity adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, and health conditions. In the NHIS, Black men had a higher odds of obesity (odds ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval = 1.12-1.49) than White men. However in the EHDIC-SWB, which accounts for social and environmental conditions of where these men live, Black men had similar odds of obesity (odds ratio = 1.06, 95% confidence interval = 0.70-1.62) compared with White men. These data highlight the importance of the role that setting plays in understanding race disparities in obesity among men. Social environment may be a key determinant of health when seeking to understand race disparities in obesity among Black and White men.

American journal of men's health, Jan 7, 2015

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased significantly and is a particular co... more The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased significantly and is a particular concern for minority men. Studies focused at the community and national levels have reported that geography can play a substantial role in contributing to obesity, but little is known about how regional influences contribute to obesity among men. The objective of this study is to examine the association between geographic region and obesity among men in the United States and to determine if there are racial/ethnic differences in obesity within these geographic regions. Data from men, aged 18 years and older, from the National Health Interview Survey were combined for the years 2000 to 2010. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m(2). Logistic regression models were specified to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between geographic region and obesity and for race and obesity within geographic regions. Compared to men living in th...