Comparative effectiveness of two interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening among females living in the rural Midwest.

PURPOSE: To assess the comparative effectiveness of a tailored, interactive digital video disc (DVD) intervention versus DVD plus patient navigation (PN) intervention versus usual care (UC) on the uptake of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among females living in Midwest rural areas. METHODS: As part of a larger study, 663 females (ages 50-74) living in rural Indiana and Ohio and not up-to-date (UTD) with CRC screening at baseline were randomized to one of three study groups. Demographics , health status/history, and beliefs and attitudes about CRC screening were measured at baseline. CRC screening was assessed at baseline and 12 months from medical records and self-report. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether females in each group were UTD for screening and which test they completed. RESULTS: Adjusted for covariates, females in the DVD plus PN group were 3.5× more likely to complete CRC screening than those in the UC group (odds ratio [OR] 3.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.09, 6.47) and baseline intention to receive CRC screening (OR 3.45, CI: 2.21,5.42) at baseline. Adjusting for covariates, there was no difference by study arm whether females who became UTD for CRC screening chose to complete a colonoscopy or fecal occult blood test/fecal immunochemical test. CONCLUSIONS: Many females living in the rural Midwest are not UTD for CRC screening. A tailored intervention that included an educational DVD and PN improved knowledge, addressed screening barriers, provided information about screening test options, and provided support was more effective than UC and DVD-only to increase adherence to recommended CRC screening.

Turning the Page on Breast Cancer in Ohio: Lessons learned from implementing a multilevel intervention to reduce breast cancer mortality among Black women.

BACKGROUND: Turning the Page on Breast Cancer (TPBC) uses a multilevel approach to reduce breast cancer (BC) mortality among Black women. TPBC intervenes by (1) improving health care facilities' ability to conduct effective BC screening, follow-up, and treatment; (2) involving community-based organizations; and (3) providing education and personal risk information through a culturally relevant website. Ohio has among the worst BC mortality rates in the United States for Black women. TPBC is in its third year of providing targeted interventions in 12 Ohio counties with particularly high BC rates among Black women. METHODS: TPBC enrolls health care facilities, collects organizational and patient data, and conducts key informant interviews to inform the provision of appropriate evidence-based interventions. TPBC engages Black communities through community-based organizations and social media advertising. The TPBC website offers BC information, connects Black women to community BC resources, and provides access to a risk-assessment tool. RESULTS: TPBC has provided tailored information packets, evidence-based interventions, and systematic support for improving the tracking and follow-up of breast health care among patients in 10 clinical partnerships. The project has provided education at community events monthly since mid-2021. The TPBC website (http://endbreastcancerohio.org) is promoted through social media (primarily Facebook) and community events to reach Black women aged 25-70 years. To date, 4108 unique users have visited the website, of whom 15.9% completed the risk assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Novel strategies are needed to address persistent disparities in BC outcomes among Black women. TPBC demonstrates the potential effectiveness of multiple methods of community-based, clinic-based, and web-based engagement. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Turning the Page on Breast Cancer (TPBC) aims to reduce breast cancer mortality among Black women in Ohio by conducting multilevel, community-engaged interventions in 12 counties. Women are provided risk information and education at virtual and in-person community events and through a community-friendly website that was launched in November 2020. Almost 4000 women have visited the website, which offers community-targeted information, urges screening for individuals at elevated risk, and offers access to patient navigation services; 655 users have used a breast cancer risk-assessment tool on the site. Community-based organizations conduct educational efforts. TPBC partners with health care facilities, which are taught to improve their ability to conduct effective breast cancer screening, follow-up, and treatment. So far, TPBC has provided educational information, evidence-based intervention lists, tailored information packets, and ongoing quarterly support to partners in 10 counties. Evaluation will focus on aggregated data for screening and genetic testing referral at the clinic level.

Receipt, uptake, and satisfaction with tailored DVD and patient navigation interventions to promote cancer screening among rural women.

Process evaluation is essential to understanding and interpreting the results of randomized trials testing the effects of behavioral interventions. A process evaluation was conducted as part of a comparative effectiveness trial testing a mailed, tailored interactive digital video disc (DVD) with and without telephone-based patient navigation (PN) to promote breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening among rural women who were not up-to-date (UTD) for at least one screening test. Data on receipt, uptake, and satisfaction with the interventions were collected via telephone interviews from 542 participants who received the tailored interactive DVD (n = 266) or the DVD plus telephone-based PN (n = 276). All participants reported receiving the DVD and 93.0% viewed it. The most viewed sections of the DVD were about colorectal, followed by breast, then cervical cancer screening. Most participants agreed the DVD was easy to understand, helpful, provided trustworthy information, and gave information needed to make a decision about screening. Most women in the DVD+PN group, 98.2% (n = 268), reported talking with the navigator. The most frequently discussed cancer screenings were colorectal (86.8%) and breast (71.3%); 57.5% discussed cervical cancer screening. The average combined length of PN encounters was 22.2 minutes with 21.7 additional minutes spent on coordinating activities. Barriers were similar across screening tests with the common ones related to the provider/health care system, lack of knowledge, forgetfulness/too much bother, and personal issues. This evaluation provided information about the implementation and delivery of behavioral interventions as well as challenges encountered that may impact trial results.

Two interventions to promote cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening among rural women who were not up-to-date (UTD) for at least one screening test were evaluated by rural women who received them as part of the randomized trial. Participants who received the tailored interactive digital video disc (DVD; n = 266) or the DVD plus telephone-based patient navigation (PN; n = 276) were interviewed by phone about their engagement and satisfaction with the interventions. All participants reported receiving the DVD and 93.0% viewed it. Most agreed the DVD was easy to understand, helpful, provided trustworthy information, and gave information needed to get screened. Almost all women in the DVD+PN group, 98.2% (n = 268) talked with the navigator. The most common cancer screenings discussed with navigators were colorectal (86.8%), followed by breast (71.3%) and cervical (57.5%). The average length of encounters with the navigators was 22.2 minutes; navigators spent 21.7 additional minutes on coordinating activities. Barriers discussed were similar across screening tests. The most common were related to the healthcare provider/system, lack of knowledge, forgetfulness/too much bother, and personal issues. This study provided important information about receipt, uptake, and satisfaction with two behavioral interventions, along with challenges encountered that may impact results.

Comparative Effectiveness of 2 Interventions to Increase Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Women in the Rural US: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Women living in rural areas have lower rates of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening compared with women living in urban settings. Objective: To assess the comparative effectiveness of (1) a mailed, tailored digital video disc (DVD) intervention; (2) a DVD intervention plus telephonic patient navigation (DVD/PN); and (3) usual care with simultaneously increased adherence to any breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening that was not up to date at baseline and to assess cost-effectiveness. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized clinical trial recruited and followed up women from rural Indiana and Ohio (community based) who were not up to date on any or all recommended cancer screenings. Participants were randomly assigned between November 28, 2016, and July 1, 2019, to 1 of 3 study groups (DVD, DVD/PN, or usual care). Statistical analyses were completed between August and December 2021 and between March and September 2022. Intervention: The DVD interactively assessed and provided messages for health beliefs, including risk of developing the targeted cancers and barriers, benefits, and self-efficacy for obtaining the needed screenings. Patient navigators counseled women on barriers to obtaining screenings. The intervention simultaneously supported obtaining screening for all or any tests outside of guidelines at baseline. Main Outcomes and Measures: Receipt of any or all needed cancer screenings from baseline through 12 months, including breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Binary logistic regression was used to compare the randomized groups on being up to date for all and any screenings at 12 months. Results: The sample included 963 women aged 50 to 74 years (mean [SD] age, 58.6 [6.3] years). The DVD group had nearly twice the odds of those in the usual care group of obtaining all needed screenings (odds ratio [OR], 1.84; 95% CI, 1.02-3.43; P = .048), and the odds were nearly 6 times greater for DVD/PN vs usual care (OR, 5.69; 95% CI, 3.24-10.5; P < .001). The DVD/PN intervention (but not DVD alone) was significantly more effective than usual care (OR, 4.01; 95% CI, 2.60-6.28; P < .001) for promoting at least 1 (ie, any) of the needed screenings at 12 months. Cost-effectiveness per woman who was up to date was $14 462 in the DVD group and $10 638 in the DVD/PN group. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial of rural women who were not up to date with at least 1 of the recommended cancer screenings (breast, cervical, or colorectal), an intervention designed to simultaneously increase adherence to any or all of the 3 cancer screening tests was more effective than usual care, available at relatively modest costs, and able to be remotely delivered, demonstrating great potential for implementing an evidence-based intervention in remote areas of the midwestern US. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02795104.

Factors associated with the accurate self-report of cancer screening behaviors among women living in the rural Midwest region of the United States.

This study examines the accuracy of the self-report of up-to-date cancer screening behaviors (Mammography, Papanicolaou (Pap)/Human Papillomavirus (HPV) tests, Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)/Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), Colonoscopy) compared to medical record documentation prior to eligibility determination and enrollment in a randomized controlled trial of an intervention to increase cancer screening among women living in rural counties of Indiana and Ohio. Women (n = 1,641) completed surveys and returned a medical record release form from November 2016-June 2019. We compared self-report to medical records for up-to-date cancer screening behaviors to determine the validity of self-report. Logistic regression models identified variables associated with accurate reporting. Women were up-to-date for mammography (75 %), Pap/HPV test (54 %), colonoscopy (53 %), and FOBT/FIT (6 %) by medical record. Although 39.6 % of women reported being up-to-date for all three anatomic sites (breast, cervix, and colon), only 31.8 % were up to date by medical records. Correlates of accurate reporting of up-to-date cancer screening varied by screening test. Approximately-one-third of women in rural counties in the Midwest are up-to-date for all three anatomic sites and correlates of the accurate reporting of screening varied by test. Although most investigators use medical records to verify completion of cancer screening behaviors as the primary outcome of intervention trials, they do not usually use medical records for the routine verification of study eligibility. Study results suggest that future research should use medical record documentation of cancer screening behaviors to determine eligibility for trials evaluating interventions to increase cancer screening.

Increasing breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening among rural women: Baseline characteristics of a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Rural women suffer disproportionately from breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer mortality compared to those in urban areas. Screening behaviors for these three cancers share many similar beliefs and barriers. Unfortunately, published interventions have not attempted to simultaneously bring women up to date with screening for three cancers (breast, cervical, and colorectal) even though multiple behavior change interventions are effective. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to compare the effectiveness of a mailed interactive and tailored DVD vs. DVD plus telephonic patient navigation (DVD + PN) vs. Usual Care (UC) to increase the percentage of rural women (aged 50-74) up to date for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. METHODS: Nine hundred eighty-three participants needing one, two, or three cancer screening tests were consented and randomized to one of three groups. Prior to randomization, women were assessed for baseline characteristics including sociodemographics, health status, and cancer screening test beliefs. Screening status was assessed by medical record review. RESULTS: At baseline, the average age of participants was 58.6 years. Nineteen percent of the sample was not up to date with screenings for all three cancers. Colorectal cancer had the highest percentage of women (69%) who were not up to date with screening followed by cervical (57%) and then breast cancer (41%). Sixty percent of women reported receiving a reminder for mammography; 30%, for cervical cancer screening; 15% for colonoscopy; and 6% for FOBT/FIT. DISCUSSION: Increasing adherence to colorectal cancer screening may be the most urgent need among all screening tests. This clinical trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov with identifier NCT02795104.

The Effect of Two Interventions to Increase Breast Cancer Screening in Rural Women.

Guideline-based mammography screening is essential to lowering breast cancer mortality, yet women residing in rural areas have lower rates of up to date (UTD) breast cancer screening compared to women in urban areas. We tested the comparative effectiveness of a tailored DVD, and the DVD plus patient navigation (PN) intervention vs. Usual Care (UC) for increasing the percentage of rural women (aged 50 to 74) UTD for breast cancer screening, as part of a larger study. Four hundred and two women who were not UTD for breast cancer screening, eligible, and between the ages of 50 to 74 were recruited from rural counties in Indiana and Ohio. Consented women were randomly assigned to one of three groups after baseline assessment of sociodemographic variables, health status, beliefs related to cancer screening tests, and history of receipt of guideline-based screening. The mean age of participants was 58.2 years with 97% reporting White race. After adjusting for covariates, 54% of women in the combined intervention (DVD + PN) had a mammogram within the 12-month window, over 5 times the rate of becoming UTD compared to UC (OR = 5.11; 95% CI = 2.57, 10.860; p < 0.001). Interactions of the intervention with other variables were not significant. Significant predictors of being UTD included: being in contemplation stage (intending to have a mammogram in the next 6 months), being UTD with other cancer screenings, having more disposable income and receiving a reminder for breast screening. Women who lived in areas with greater Area Deprivation Index scores (a measure of poverty) were less likely to become UTD with breast cancer screening. For rural women who were not UTD with mammography screening, the addition of PN to a tailored DVD significantly improved the uptake of mammography. Attention should be paid to certain groups of women most at risk for not receiving UTD breast screening to improve breast cancer outcomes in rural women.

Ethnic disparities in cancer incidence and survival among the oldest old in the United States.

Objective: To examine potential ethnic disparities in cancer incidence and survival rates among the oldest old using data from the SEER Program.Design: Cases diagnosed with one of the leading four cancer sites (lung and bronchus, colon and rectum, female breast, prostate) and four cancer sites (stomach, liver and intrahepatic bile duct, gallbladder, and cervical) that disproportionally affect Hispanics were reported to one of 18 SEER registries. Differences in cancer incidence were examined for cases aged ≥85 years diagnosed during the most recent 5-year time period (2009-2013) and, to examine changes over time, from 1992 to 2013. Five-year relative cancer survival probability was examined for Hispanics and non-Hispanics aged ≥85 years diagnosed 2006-2012.Results: From 2009 to 2013, non-Hispanics aged ≥85 years had higher incidence rates compared to Hispanics for colon and rectum, lung and bronchus, female breast, and prostate cancers. Five-year survival probability for cancers of all stages combined was higher for non-Hispanics than Hispanics in this age group. However, Hispanics had higher survival probability of colon and rectum and lung and bronchus cancers diagnosed at regional (colon and rectum: 67.2% vs. 60.5%; lung and bronchus: 15.9% vs. 12.7%) and distant (colon and rectum: 5.4% vs. 3.8%; lung and bronchus: 2.8% vs. 2.2%) stages than non-Hispanics, respectively.Conclusion: Ethnic differences in cancer incidence and survival probability exist for the ≥85 population. Continued efforts are needed to understand and reduce ethnic disparities in cancer prevention and treatment for this population.

A Group Randomized Trial to Reduce Obesity among Appalachian Church Members: The Walk by Faith Study.

Background: Appalachia is a rural, socioeconomically disadvantaged region with high rates of cancer and obesity. Using community-based participatory research principles, the Appalachia Community Cancer Network tested an initiative to reduce weight among overweight and obese participants by partnering with churches, an important community-based institution in Appalachia.Methods: A group randomized trial was conducted with counties or groups of counties in five Appalachian states. These groups were randomly assigned to receive either monthly diet and exercise education sessions ("Walk by Faith"; WbF) or an educational program focused on cancer screening and education ("Ribbons of Faith"; RoF) to examine effects on weight change. Participants completed questionnaires and biometric measurements at baseline and 12 months. The primary outcome of the study was weight change from baseline to 12 months.Results: The relative difference in weight loss from baseline to 12 months for WbF compared with RoF was 1.4% but was not statistically significant (P = 0.13). However, results varied by sex and marital status. WbF men experienced a significant 2.8% decrease in body weight, married WbF women a 1.5% decrease, and unmarried WbF women a 1.5% increase compared with their respective RoF subgroups (interaction P = 0.016). Among WbF participants, greater participation in monthly educational sessions was associated with greater weight loss (P = 0.002).Conclusions: WbF facilitated weight loss mainly in male participants. Level of participation in WbF activities correlated with weight loss.Impact: Findings suggest that additional research is needed to better understand factors associated with participation in health promotion programs for underserved rural communities. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(11); 1289-97. ©2018 AACR.

Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: Opportunities for Targeted Prevention in Ohio.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma, one of the most lethal gastroenterological diseases, has been increasing since the 1960s. Prevention of esophageal adenocarcinoma is important because no early detection screening programs have been shown to reduce mortality. Obesity, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and tobacco smoking are risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Due to the high prevalence in Ohio of obesity (32.6%) and cigarette smoking (21.0%), this study sought to identify trends and patterns of these risk factors and esophageal adenocarcinoma in Ohio as compared with the United States. METHODS: Data from the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System, Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER), and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used. Incidence rates overall, by demographics and by county, as well as trends in incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma and the percent of esophageal adenocarcinoma among esophageal cancers were examined. Trends in obesity and cigarette smoking in Ohio, and the prevalence of each by county, were reported. RESULTS: There was an increasing trend in esophageal adenocarcinoma incidence in Ohio. Ohio's average annual esophageal adenocarcinoma incidence rate was higher than the SEER rate overall and for each sex, race, and age group in 2009 to 2013. There was also an increasing prevalence of obesity in Ohio. Although the prevalence of cigarette smoking has been stable, it was high in Ohio compared with the United States. CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers and researchers should be aware of the esophageal adenocarcinoma incidence rates and risk factor patterns and tailor interventions for areas and populations at higher risk.

Predictors of Colorectal Cancer Screening in Two Underserved U.S. Populations: A Parallel Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite declining colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality rates in the U.S., significant geographic and racial disparities in CRC death rates remain. Differences in guideline-concordant CRC screening rates may explain some of these disparities. We aim to assess individual and neighborhood-level predictors of guideline-concordant CRC screening within two cohorts of individuals located within CRC mortality geographic hotspot regions in the U.S. METHODS: A total of 36,901 participants from the Southern Community Cohort Study and 4,491 participants from the Ohio Appalachia CRC screening study were included in this study. Self-reported date of last CRC screening was used to determine if the participant was within guidelines for screening. Logistic regression models were utilized to determine the association of individual-level predictors, neighborhood deprivation, and residence in hotspot regions on the odds of being within guidelines for CRC screening. RESULTS: Lower household income, lack of health insurance, and being a smoker were each associated with lower odds of being within guidelines for CRC screening in both cohorts. Area-level associations were less evident, although up to 15% lower guideline adherence was associated with residence in neighborhoods of greater deprivation and in the Lower Mississippi Delta, one of the identified CRC mortality hotspots. CONCLUSION: These results reveal the adverse effects of lower area-level and individual socioeconomic status on adherence to CRC guideline screening.

Predictors of Willingness to Participate in Biospecimen Donation and Biobanking among Appalachian Adults.

BACKGROUND: Rural residents in the U.S., particularly residents of Appalachia, are underrepresented in biomedical research, limiting the generalizability of research findings. OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with Appalachian adults' willingness to participate in biospecimen donation and banking. METHODS: A survey assessing willingness to donate blood, saliva, and buccal specimens and to have these biospecimens stored for future use in genetic studies was conducted among 493 Appalachian adults. RESULTS: Most participants 73% (358/493) were willing to donate one or more biospecimen type; among them, 75% (268/358) were willing to donate blood, saliva, and buccal specimens. Approximately 61% (300/493) were willing to have their biospecimens banked and 97% (290/300) of these were willing to have their samples used for genetic studies. Appalachian self-identity predicted willingness to donate biospecimens, to have them stored, and used in genetic studies (OR1.52, 95% CI 1.03-2.24). CONCLUSIONS: Appalachian adults were generally willing to participate in biobanking research.

Breast Cancer Disparities Among Women in Underserved Communities in the USA.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Breast cancer disparities that exist between high-income countries (HIC) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are also reflected within population subgroups throughout the United States (US). Here we examine three case studies of US populations "left behind" in breast cancer outcomes/equity. RECENT FINDINGS: African Americans in Chicago, non-Latina White women in Appalachia, and Latinas in the Yakima Valley of Washington State all experience a myriad of factors that contribute to lower rates of breast cancer detection and appropriate treatment as well as poorer survival. These factors, related to the social determinants of health, including geographic isolation, lack of availability of care, and personal constraints, can be addressed with interventions at multiple levels. SUMMARY: Although HICs have reduced mortality of breast cancer compared to LMICs, there remain inequities in the US healthcare system. Concerted efforts are needed to ensure that all women have access to equitable screening, detection, treatment, and survivorship resources.

White-Black Differences in Cancer Incidence, Stage at Diagnosis, and Survival Among Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential White-Black differences in cancer incidence rates, stage at diagnosis, and relative survival probabilities among older adults using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data. METHOD: Differences in cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, and 5-year relative survival probability were examined for cases diagnosed within the most recent 5-year period and over time for cases diagnosed from 1973 to 2013 (incidence only) for older White and Black adults. RESULTS: Among adults aged 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85 years and older, Black adults had higher cancer incidence rates per 100,000 than White males from 1973 to 2013, respectively. Late stage and unstaged cancers were more common among Black adults in each of the three age groups compared with Whites. Five-year relative survival probability for all invasive cancers combined was higher for Whites than Blacks in each of the three age groups. DISCUSSION: Continued efforts are needed to reduce racial disparities in cancer incidence and mortality among older adults.

White-Black Differences in Cancer Incidence, Stage at Diagnosis, and Survival among Adults Aged 85 Years and Older in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Increased life expectancy, growth of minority populations, and advances in cancer screening and treatment have resulted in an increasing number of older, racially diverse cancer survivors. Potential black/white disparities in cancer incidence, stage, and survival among the oldest old (≥85 years) were examined using data from the SEER Program of the National Cancer Institute. METHODS: Differences in cancer incidence and stage at diagnosis were examined for cases diagnosed within the most recent 5-year period, and changes in these differences over time were examined for white and black cases aged ≥85 years. Five-year relative cancer survival rate was also examined by race. RESULTS: Among those aged ≥85 years, black men had higher colorectal, lung and bronchus, and prostate cancer incidence rates than white men, respectively. From 1973 to 2012, lung and bronchus and female breast cancer incidence increased, while colorectal and prostate cancer incidence decreased among this population. Blacks had higher rates of unstaged cancer compared with whites. The 5-year relative survival rate for all invasive cancers combined was higher for whites than blacks. Notably, whites had more than three times the relative survival rate of lung and bronchus cancer when diagnosed at localized (35.1% vs. 11.6%) and regional (12.2% vs. 3.2%) stages than blacks, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: White and black differences in cancer incidence, stage, and survival exist in the ≥85 population. IMPACT: Continued efforts are needed to reduce white and black differences in cancer prevention and treatment among the ≥85 population. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(11); 1517-23. ©2016 AACR.

Study design, intervention, and baseline characteristics of a group randomized trial involving a faith-based healthy eating and physical activity intervention (Walk by Faith) to reduce weight and cancer risk among overweight and obese Appalachian adults.

BACKGROUND: Increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among Appalachian residents may contribute to increased cancer rates in this region. This manuscript describes the design, components, and participant baseline characteristics of a faith-based study to decrease overweight and obesity among Appalachian residents. METHODS: A group randomized study design was used to assign 13 churches to an intervention to reduce overweight and obesity (Walk by Faith) and 15 churches to a cancer screening intervention (Ribbons of Faith). Church members with a body mass index (BMI) ?25 were recruited from these churches in Appalachian counties in five states to participate in the study. A standard protocol was used to measure participant characteristics at baseline. The same protocol will be followed to obtain measurements after completion of the active intervention phase (12months) and the sustainability phase (24months). Primary outcome is change in BMI from baseline to 12months. Secondary outcomes include changes in blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio, and fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as intervention sustainability. RESULTS: Church members (n=664) from 28 churches enrolled in the study. At baseline 64.3% of the participants were obese (BMI?30), less than half (41.6%) reported regular exercise, and 85.5% reported consuming less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. CONCLUSIONS: Church members recruited to participate in a faith-based study across the Appalachian region reported high rates of unhealthy behaviors. We have demonstrated the feasibility of developing and recruiting participants to a faith-based intervention aimed at improving diet and increasing exercise among underserved populations.