Implementing DASH-aligned Congregate Meals and Self-Measured Blood Pressure in two senior centers: An open label study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) poses significant health risks for seniors, especially among low-income and minority communities. Senior centers offer multiple services. We tested whether implementing two evidence-based interventions- DASH-aligned meals provided through an existing congregate meal program, and support for home Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP) monitoring-lowers blood pressure among participants at two senior centers serving low-income, racially diverse communities. METHODS AND RESULTS: Open-label study, enrolling clients aged ≥60, eating ≥4 meals/week at two NYC senior centers. Participants received DASH-aligned congregate meals, and training in nutrition, BP management education, and personal SMBP device. Co-Primary outcomes: a) change in systolic BP measured by independent health professionals, and b) change in percent with "controlled BP" (Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC-8) Guidelines), at Month 1 compared to Baseline. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Changes in BP at Months 3 and 5/6 (last measure). We enrolled 94 participants; COVID closures interrupted implementation mid-study. Mean systolic BP at Month-1 changed by -4.41 mmHg (n = 61 p = 0.07) compared to Baseline. Participants with controlled BP increased (15.7%) at Month 1. Change in mean BP at Month 1 was significantly correlated with BMI (p = 0.02), age (p = 0.04), and baseline BP (p < 0.001). Mean systolic SMBP changed by -6.9 mmHg (p = 0.004) at Months 5/6. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing an evidence-based multi-component BP-lowering intervention within existing congregate meal programs at senior centers serving minority and low-income communities is feasible, and early findings show promising evidence of effectiveness. This approach to cardiovascular risk reduction should be further tested for widespread adoption and impact. Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03993808 (June 21st, 2019).

Taxi Drivers at Risk: Tailoring Nutrition and Exercise Materials.

Cognitive interviewing was used to refine nutrition and exercise health education materials for use in the New York City taxi driver community. Cognitive interviews were conducted with taxi drivers at garages and community centers across New York City. Interviews were conducted in five rounds with approximately 10 interviews conducted in each round. Modifications were made to the education materials between rounds based on driver feedback. Interviews were transcribed, coded to identify areas needing improvement, and then used to modify materials. Areas that needed adaptation included colloquialisms, literacy level, complex jargon/terminology, vague/confusing phrasing, driver-specific and ethnic-specific preferences, visual aids, and mathematical calculations. These were organized into four key themes: linguistic responsiveness, occupational and cultural adaptation, visuals, and calculations. Cognitive interviewing is a useful method for refining health education materials in the diverse driver population. Cognitive interviewing revealed a need to reduce literacy level, avoid complex terminology, make further occupational and cultural adaptations, use clear visual aids, and avoid the use of complex calculations. Cognitive interviewing is an effective method for refining health education materials for immigrant and low literacy populations.