Centers for Disease Control
New Obesity Data Shows Blacks Have the Highest Rates of Obesity
CDC | July 16, 2009
Blacks had 51 percent higher prevalence of obesity, and Hispanics had 21 percent higher obesity prevalence compared with whites, according to researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health Disparities and Racial/Ethnic Minority Youth
CDC
Young people from racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States suffer disproportionately from a number of preventable diseases and health problems.
Health and Human Services
Obama Administration and Text4Baby join forces to connect pregnant women and children to health coverage and information
HHS | February 28, 2012
The Centers for Medicaid & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that it will partner with Text4Baby, a free national health texting service, to promote enrollment in both Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and provide pregnant women and new mothers free text messages on important health care issues.
The announcement is part of activities marking the anniversaries of both the signing of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) and the launch of Text4Baby, whose partners include Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, Voxiva, which provides the mobile health platforms, and a host of wireless carriers. (Read more)
HHS launches Strong Start initiative to increase healthy deliveries and reduce preterm births
HHS | February 8, 2012
To help reduce the increasing number of preterm births in America and ensure more babies are born healthy, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced more than $40 million in grants to test ways to reverse that trend, as well as a public campaign to reduce early elective deliveries.
“Preterm births are a growing public health problem that has significant consequences for families well into a child’s life,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “The Strong Start initiative will help give expectant mothers the care they need for a healthy delivery and a healthy baby.” (Read more)
HHS releases more than $863 million to help low-income households with energy costs stay safe and healthy
HHS | January 19, 2012
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing more than $863 million today to grantees to help low-income households with their heating and other home energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). HHS is releasing the remaining funds, made available by the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-74), to states, territories, tribes and the District of Columbia. (Read more)
Statement from Secretary Sebelius on Reallocating $25 million for AIDS Drug Assistance
HHS | July 9, 2010
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services took an important step to improve access to critical HIV/AIDS prescription drugs. The $25 million reallocated for AIDS drug assistance provides resources to States that have AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) waiting lists or have implemented strategies to contain costs and delay or prevent a waiting list. (Read more)
Washington State to Ensure Equal Access to Child Protective and Welfare Services
HHS | July 7, 2010
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS today announced an agreement to help ensure that children in Washington State in need of welfare and protective services will not be segregated based on race, color, or national origin. OCR, along with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, signed the voluntary resolution agreement to provide equal access to care needed by one of Washington’s more vulnerable populations. (Read more)
National Institutes of Health
HIV and STD Prevention for High-Risk, Inner-City, African American Youth
Clinical Trial | June 2009
Approximately 25% of the new HIV cases in the United States each year occur among adolescents. Although African American teens make up only 15% of the adolescent population in the U.S., they account for about two thirds of new AIDS cases among teens. An Atlanta, Georgia study involving a population composed primarily of urban African American teens demonstrated that few of the teens who tested positive for HIV were aware of the risks involved in sexual activity. Because of this population’s increased risk for contracting HIV and other STDs, prevention programs that specifically target African American teens are necessary. This study will evaluate the joint and separate effectiveness of two HIV/STD prevention programs, small group training and mass media messages, in providing protection against acquiring STDs and maintaining safer sex behavior.
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) for Obesity in African American Youth
Clinical Trial | January 2008
Despite the dramatic increase in obesity and Type II Diabetes in adolescents, documented effective treatments for obesity and the consequential prevention of Type II Diabetes are scarce. Modification of food and activity choices is the foundation of obesity treatment; however, adolescents may find it difficult to follow recommended diet and exercise programs. This study uses a home-based treatment, Multisystemic Therapy (MST), to target change within the individual, family and environmental contexts.
Preventing Substance Use and Risky Behavior Among Rural African American Youth
Clinical Trial | Expected Completion Date: March 2012
The Rural African American Families Health (RAAFH) Project is a federally funded research study designed to evaluate the effectiveness two prevention programs designed for rural African American families. One program, FUEL, helps teens develop lifestyles that prevent health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and being overweight. This program deals with diet and exercise, the influence of TV and magazines on eating habits, and handling stress. The second program, the Strong African American Families Teen Program (SAAF-T), helps teens learn how to develop plans for the future and to avoid drug use and unsafe sex. The sessions deal with goal setting, peer pressure, and staying in school.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination Commitment and Compliance Among Rural African American Primary Caregivers and Their Daughters
Clinical Trial | Expected Completion Date: July 2011
African American women living in the rural South are twice as likely as Caucasian women to develop cervical cancer and die of invasive cervical cancer at a higher rate than any other racial/ethnic group in the US (1). Reasons for low HPV vaccination rates among rural African Americans are not well understood. HPV vaccination compliance is likely influenced by barriers to health care access, misinformation regarding vaccinations, religious beliefs related to sexual health and behaviors, and mistrust of the medical community (2, 3). Because the vaccination of minors requires primary caregiver consent, vaccination commitment and compliance is strongly influenced by family beliefs and communication regarding health and sexuality. To date, little research has examined the cultural, familial, and intrapersonal influences on HPV vaccination compliance among rural African American women. This study will address these gaps in the literature and provide data needed to develop effective interventions and health promotion materials to encourage HPV vaccination among rural African American women.
Physical Activity in Public Housing – II
Clinical Trial | Expected Completion Date: December 2011
The aims of the proposed study are to: (1) Examine how youth and their parents use and perceive three active living domains for physical activity (PA): schools, recreation, and transportation environment; (2) Identify patterns and predictors of environmental perceptions of physical activity; (3) Compare and contrast youth evaluations of physical activity resources with research team objective evaluations of physical activity resources; (4) Using above data, refine the conceptual framework of physical activity phenomena in low-income minority communities guiding this research and develop items for a quantitative survey measuring parental and youth environmental perceptions of physical activity for a future trial with this population.
Reducing HIV Risks in African American Teens
Clinical Trial | April 2012
This study is developing and testing an innovative, parent education intervention, Preparing Our Sons and Daughters for Healthy Futures. This intervention aims to reduce HIV risk among African American and other Black youth living in high-poverty urban neighborhoods. Investigators, working with a community advisory board and focus groups of youth and parents, will develop a multi-year set of audio-CDs to promote positive parenting practices that support young adolescents in establishing healthy patterns of behavior. This parent education intervention will be tested in a field trial with families of 6th graders recruited from multiple schools in New York City. Baseline and annual follow up surveys will be conducted until youth enter high school. Families receiving the intervention will be compared to those assigned to either an attention-controlled print materials condition or a non-attention controlled condition. It is hypothesized that youth whose parents receive the intervention will delay sexual initiation and report fewer sexual risks, and that their parents will report more positive parenting practices.
IMARA, Adapting SiHLE for Detained African American Adolescent Females
Clinical Trial | May 2011
The IMARA Program will test the efficacy of a multi-session HIV Prevention program, adapted from an existing program(SiHLE), for incarcerated African American adolescent females.
Health and Human Services
New Obesity Data Shows Blacks Have the Highest Rates of Obesity
CDC | July 16, 2009
Blacks had 51 percent higher prevalence of obesity, and Hispanics had 21 percent higher obesity prevalence compared with whites, according to researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health Disparities and Racial/Ethnic Minority Youth
CDC
Young people from racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States suffer disproportionately from a number of preventable diseases and health problems.
Health and Human Services
Obama Administration and Text4Baby join forces to connect pregnant women and children to health coverage and information
HHS | February 28, 2012
HHS launches Strong Start initiative to increase healthy deliveries and reduce preterm births
HHS | February 8, 2012
HHS releases more than $863 million to help low-income households with energy costs stay safe and healthy
HHS | January 19, 2012
Statement from Secretary Sebelius on Reallocating $25 million for AIDS Drug Assistance
HHS | July 9, 2010
Washington State to Ensure Equal Access to Child Protective and Welfare Services
HHS | July 7, 2010
National Institutes of Health
HIV and STD Prevention for High-Risk, Inner-City, African American Youth
Clinical Trial | June 2009
Approximately 25% of the new HIV cases in the United States each year occur among adolescents. Although African American teens make up only 15% of the adolescent population in the U.S., they account for about two thirds of new AIDS cases among teens. An Atlanta, Georgia study involving a population composed primarily of urban African American teens demonstrated that few of the teens who tested positive for HIV were aware of the risks involved in sexual activity. Because of this population’s increased risk for contracting HIV and other STDs, prevention programs that specifically target African American teens are necessary. This study will evaluate the joint and separate effectiveness of two HIV/STD prevention programs, small group training and mass media messages, in providing protection against acquiring STDs and maintaining safer sex behavior.
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) for Obesity in African American Youth
Clinical Trial | January 2008
Despite the dramatic increase in obesity and Type II Diabetes in adolescents, documented effective treatments for obesity and the consequential prevention of Type II Diabetes are scarce. Modification of food and activity choices is the foundation of obesity treatment; however, adolescents may find it difficult to follow recommended diet and exercise programs. This study uses a home-based treatment, Multisystemic Therapy (MST), to target change within the individual, family and environmental contexts.
Preventing Substance Use and Risky Behavior Among Rural African American Youth
Clinical Trial | Expected Completion Date: March 2012
The Rural African American Families Health (RAAFH) Project is a federally funded research study designed to evaluate the effectiveness two prevention programs designed for rural African American families. One program, FUEL, helps teens develop lifestyles that prevent health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and being overweight. This program deals with diet and exercise, the influence of TV and magazines on eating habits, and handling stress. The second program, the Strong African American Families Teen Program (SAAF-T), helps teens learn how to develop plans for the future and to avoid drug use and unsafe sex. The sessions deal with goal setting, peer pressure, and staying in school.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination Commitment and Compliance Among Rural African American Primary Caregivers and Their Daughters
Clinical Trial | Expected Completion Date: July 2011
African American women living in the rural South are twice as likely as Caucasian women to develop cervical cancer and die of invasive cervical cancer at a higher rate than any other racial/ethnic group in the US (1). Reasons for low HPV vaccination rates among rural African Americans are not well understood. HPV vaccination compliance is likely influenced by barriers to health care access, misinformation regarding vaccinations, religious beliefs related to sexual health and behaviors, and mistrust of the medical community (2, 3). Because the vaccination of minors requires primary caregiver consent, vaccination commitment and compliance is strongly influenced by family beliefs and communication regarding health and sexuality. To date, little research has examined the cultural, familial, and intrapersonal influences on HPV vaccination compliance among rural African American women. This study will address these gaps in the literature and provide data needed to develop effective interventions and health promotion materials to encourage HPV vaccination among rural African American women.
Physical Activity in Public Housing – II
Clinical Trial | Expected Completion Date: December 2011
The aims of the proposed study are to: (1) Examine how youth and their parents use and perceive three active living domains for physical activity (PA): schools, recreation, and transportation environment; (2) Identify patterns and predictors of environmental perceptions of physical activity; (3) Compare and contrast youth evaluations of physical activity resources with research team objective evaluations of physical activity resources; (4) Using above data, refine the conceptual framework of physical activity phenomena in low-income minority communities guiding this research and develop items for a quantitative survey measuring parental and youth environmental perceptions of physical activity for a future trial with this population.
Reducing HIV Risks in African American Teens
Clinical Trial | April 2012
This study is developing and testing an innovative, parent education intervention, Preparing Our Sons and Daughters for Healthy Futures. This intervention aims to reduce HIV risk among African American and other Black youth living in high-poverty urban neighborhoods. Investigators, working with a community advisory board and focus groups of youth and parents, will develop a multi-year set of audio-CDs to promote positive parenting practices that support young adolescents in establishing healthy patterns of behavior. This parent education intervention will be tested in a field trial with families of 6th graders recruited from multiple schools in New York City. Baseline and annual follow up surveys will be conducted until youth enter high school. Families receiving the intervention will be compared to those assigned to either an attention-controlled print materials condition or a non-attention controlled condition. It is hypothesized that youth whose parents receive the intervention will delay sexual initiation and report fewer sexual risks, and that their parents will report more positive parenting practices.
IMARA, Adapting SiHLE for Detained African American Adolescent Females
Clinical Trial | May 2011
The IMARA Program will test the efficacy of a multi-session HIV Prevention program, adapted from an existing program(SiHLE), for incarcerated African American adolescent females.