Adapting an Evidence-Based Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Intervention to Urban American Indians

Using the RE-AIM framework, the primary purpose of this qualitative study was to conduct focus groups to identify areas for future adaptation of an evidence-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk intervention (COACH) developed for an urban primary care setting to urban American Indian (AI)-serving settings.

This qualitative study involved conducting three focus groups with 31 urban AI patients with two or more CVD risk factors to maximize reach and efficacy of COACH. The patients had not yet participated in an adapted COACH program.

Findings from the focus groups indicate that a culturally adapted CVD risk reduction program modeled after COACH would be acceptable among urban AI populations. Recommendations for cultural adaptation include a need for images of AI people, traditional AI exercise activities and AI foods, information on the portion sizes of traditional foods, and expanded information on tobacco use and resources.

With cultural adaptations, the COACH program can be pilot-tested in urban AI-serving primary care settings to address health concerns and behaviors that affect cardiovascular health outcomes.