Community-based participatory design of a decade: the FAITH! Cardiovascular Health and Wellness Program

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities Research
• Community-Based Participatory Research

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases disproportionately affect African-Americans, necessitating targeted interventions.
• Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is crucial for addressing health disparities effectively.
• The FAITH! (Fostering African-American Improvement in Total Health) program was established in 2013 to address these issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the FAITH! program's decade-long initiative to reduce cardiovascular health disparities among African-Americans in Minnesota.
• To highlight the program's CBPR approach, innovative interventions (FAITH! Trial, Techquity by FAITH!), and adaptation to public health crises.
• To showcase the program's outcomes in sustainable health ministries, research participation, workforce development, and health equity.

Main Methods:

• Partnering with African-American faith communities for culturally tailored interventions.
• Utilizing education, digital health tools (e.g., FAITH! App), and multilevel strategies targeting social determinants of health.
• Implementing CBPR principles: equitable partnerships, co-learning, capacity building, and shared ownership.

Main Results:

• Established sustainable church-based health ministries and increased community research participation.
• Successfully translated research into practice and adapted to public health emergencies like COVID-19.
• Mentored diverse scholars and community leaders, contributing to research workforce development in health equity.

Conclusions:

• The FAITH! model demonstrates a scalable, community-led strategy for improving cardiovascular health in underserved populations.
• CBPR is transformative in building trust, culturally relevant dissemination, and sustaining health equity initiatives.
• The program provides a blueprint for reducing racial health disparities in cardiovascular health.