Development and Implementation of a Culturally Informed Spanish Language Yoga Program for Latiné Women With Overweight or Obesity Diagnosed With Cancer: A Single Arm Pilot Study.

Background: Given limited yoga research in health disparities populations, we developed and evaluated a 12-week Spanish language yoga program for Latiné women with overweight or obesity affected by cancer. The program aimed to empower participants through culturally tailored yoga practice and opportunities for social connection and support. Methods: Partnering with a community-based organization, the program was co-created by bilingual (English and Spanish-speaking) yoga instructors, Latiné cancer survivor support professionals, and integrative medicine researchers. The single arm intervention consisted of 12 separate, 60-minute Hatha yoga classes, including physical postures, breathing exercises, culturally relevant poetry, and post-practice socialization opportunities. Measures were administered at baseline, 12-week, and 24-week. Results: Thirty-five eligible participants enrolled in the program, demonstrating high feasibility and relevance as well as high levels of engagement in home practice. Some participants faced barriers to regular home practice, including family responsibilities and concerns about proper pose execution. Preliminary outcome analyses indicated improvements in sleep disturbance, pain interference, depression, and blood pressure post-intervention, with sustained improvements in depression, anxiety, and blood pressure at 24-week. No significant changes were observed in fatigue, physical function, positive affect, satisfaction with social roles and activities, and weight. Structured post-practice social snack time with yoga instructors (compared with unstructured time with peers) was associated with self-reported improvements in satisfaction with social roles and activities and weight loss. Conclusion: This yoga program successfully engaged female Latiné cancer survivors with overweight and obesity and serves as a foundational step in empowering this population to improve their health and well-being through culturally tailored yoga practice. Future research should utilize controlled study designs and engage participants from different geographical regions to study the efficacy and sustainability of findings.

Feasibility of Implementing a Mindfulness-Based Online Program for Latina Immigrants and the Staff that Work with Them.

Objective: Post-migration stress and trauma impact the way Latino/a immigrants in the USA experience everyday life. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) reduce stress and strengthen mental health by improving the response to stressors and promoting physical and psychological well-being; however, they have not been tested extensively with Latino/a immigrants in the USA, particularly MBIs implemented online. Thus, more information is needed about the feasibility of online MBIs adapted for Latino/a immigrants. Method: This study focuses on the feasibility of an online MBI for Latina mothers and community staff members working with them (n = 41). Qualitative (three focus groups) data were collected to assess feasibility, appropriateness, acceptability, and quantitative (questionnaires) data asking about self-reported changes on stress, mindfulness, mind-body connection, subjective well-being, and perceived physical and mental health after the program. Results: Participants in the three groups indicated the program was appropriate, feasible, and acceptable for Latina immigrant mothers and the staff serving them. Mothers' and Promotoras' (community health workers) mean scores for subjective well-being and perceived physical and mental health increased significantly from baseline to post-test. No significant changes were observed in surveys completed by the staff, even though focus group participants reported meaningful improvement. Conclusion: Overall, the feasibility study was well received and relevant for the organization and the population they serve. The study's findings provide guidance to others who are implementing online mindfulness practices with Latina immigrants and the staff that work with them. Preregistration: This study is not preregistered. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-023-02123-6.

Building a More Diverse and Inclusive Science: Mindfulness-Based Approaches for Latinx Individuals.

Objectives: This article represents a call to action for the mindfulness field to be more diverse and inclusive of Latinx individuals. Building a diverse and inclusive science around mindfulness-based approaches (MBAs) that considers important group-level cultural and contextual information is an important public health challenge in need of innovative solutions. Methods: We describe ways that the Latinx population is poised to benefit from MBAs. We further elucidate challenges, describe potential solutions, and outline a research agenda that may hold promise for building a more inclusive mindfulness movement. Results: Our recommendations center around developing nuanced cultural adaptations to MBAs, engaging Latinx individuals in research, increasing the rigor of scientific studies pertaining to Latinx individuals, relying on implementation science to develop innovative methods for disseminating MBAs to Latinx individuals, developing training and certification mechanisms to increase diversity and representation of Latinx mindfulness teachers, and creating mechanisms for the oversight of MBAs within this group. Conclusions: There has been a lack of inclusivity of Latinx individuals in the field of MBAs with regards to research studies, barriers to access for economically disadvantaged groups, and lack of diversity in its workforce. Considering the recognition of adverse social drivers of health that generate chronic stress and health disparities, the Latinx population is especially poised to benefit greatly from MBAs. A diverse and inclusive mindfulness science holds promise to enhance the effectiveness, acceptability, feasibility, and wide-scale dissemination and implementation of MBAs.

A qualitative study of older adults' perspectives on initiating exercise and mindfulness practice.

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness practice and exercise are ways by which older adults can improve and maintain their physical, emotional and cognitive health. METHODS: This single-site qualitative study gathered insights of older adults' perceptions about initiating and maintaining mindfulness and exercise practices. We carried out focus groups with 41 adults aged 65-85 who had recently initiated Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), structured exercise, or their combination as part of participation in a clinical trial. We used a semi-structured interview to ask them open-ended questions regarding the benefits, barriers and facilitators of participating in mindfulness and/or exercise interventions. The interview also included questions regarding translation of these practices into community settings as well as the long-term maintenance potential of these practices. RESULTS: Older adults indicated that the mindfulness training increased their awareness and self-reflection and fostered a more self-accepting attitude. Furthermore, they improved their self-care habits and reported having better familial and social relationships. The main barrier for both the exercise and Mindfulness group was time management. The social benefits and sense of community were some of the primary motivators for older adults in the exercise and/or MBSR interventions. However, the research on how to motivate older adults to initiate healthy behavioral changes also needs to be answered. The benefits of exercise and MBSR are a motivation in and of themselves, as indicated by some of the participants. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that mindfulness training and exercise can serve as tools to cultivate important health lifestyle qualities among older adults, who are in the midst of mental, social, emotional and physical change. If it were not for the purpose of the research or the incentives provided by the research team, these older adults may have never started the healthy behavioral changes. From the responses, this may indicate that older adults may need more incentives to begin and maintain behavioral changes other than for their own health benefit.

Social conditions and urban environment associated with participation in the Ciclovia program among adults from Cali, Colombia.

The Ciclovia program (CP) has emerged as an effective initiative to promote active living in urban spaces in Latin America. This study assessed the association between social conditions, the urban environment and participation in the CP among adults living in the city of Cali, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 and 2012 among 719 adults aged 18 to 44. Urban environment measures were obtained using Geographic Information Systems. A multilevel logistic regression was used for the analysis. Slightly more than 7% of participants had participated in the CP in the previous four weekends. Being male and having a high school degree were positively associated with participation in the CP. Participation in the CP was positively associated with living in neighborhoods with Ciclovia lanes. In contrast, a negative association was found among those living in neighborhoods with a presence of traffic fatalities. This study provides new insights about a recreational program that has potential health benefits in a region marked by urban inequalities in terms of opportunities for physical activity.

Social conditions and urban environment associated with participation in the Ciclovia program among adults from Cali, Colombia / Condiciones sociales y ambientes urbanos asociados con la participación al programa de Ciclovía en adultos en Cali, Colombia / Condições sociais e ambientes urbanos associados à participação no programa Ciclovia entre adultos em Cali, Colômbia

Abstract The Ciclovia program (CP) has emerged as an effective initiative to promote active living in urban spaces in Latin America. This study assessed the association between social conditions, the urban environment and participation in the CP among adults living in the city of Cali, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 and 2012 among 719 adults aged 18 to 44. Urban environment measures were obtained using Geographic Information Systems. A multilevel logistic regression was used for the analysis. Slightly more than 7% of participants had participated in the CP in the previous four weekends. Being male and having a high school degree were positively associated with participation in the CP. Participation in the CP was positively associated with living in neighborhoods with Ciclovia lanes. In contrast, a negative association was found among those living in neighborhoods with a presence of traffic fatalities. This study provides new insights about a recreational program that has potential health benefits in a region marked by urban inequalities in terms of opportunities for physical activity.

Resumen El programa de Ciclovía (PC) ha surgido como una iniciativa efectiva para promover actividad física en el contexto urbano de América Latina. Este estudio evaluó la asociación entre las condiciones sociales, el ambiente urbano y la participación en el PC en adultos que vivían en Cali, Colombia. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en 2011 y 2012 en 719 adultos de 18 a 44 años. Se obtuvieron medidas del ambiente urbano utilizando Sistemas de Información Geográfica. Un poco más del 7% de las personas participaron en el PC en los últimos 4 fines de semana. Ser hombre y tener un nivel de escolaridad de secundaria se asoció positivamente con la participación en el PC. Así mismo, se encontró una asociación positiva con residir en barrios con existencia de corredores con este programa. Por el contrario, la existencia de muertes por accidentes de tránsito fue negativamente asociada. Este estudio brinda nuevos conocimientos acerca de un programa recreativo que tiene beneficios potenciales para la salud, en una región marcada por desigualdades urbanas relacionadas con actividad física.

Resumo O programa Ciclovia (PC) surgiu como uma iniciativa eficaz para promover a atividade física no contexto urbano da América Latina. Este estudo avaliou a associação entre as condições sociais, o ambiente urbano e participação no PC em adultos que vivem em Cali, Colômbia. Um estudo transversal foi realizado em 2011 e 2012, em 719 adultos com idades entre 18 e 44 anos. Medidas do ambiente urbano utilizando SIG foram obtidos. Pouco mais de 7% das pessoas participaram do PC nos últimos quatro finais de semana. Ser do sexo masculino e ter um nível de ensino médio foi positivamente associado com a participação no PC. Da mesma forma, uma associação positiva com residência em bairros com corredores existência desse programa foi encontrada. Pelo contrário , a existência de mortes no trânsito foi negativamente associado . Este estudo fornece novos conhecimentos sobre um programa de lazer que tem benefícios de saúde potenciais em uma região marcada por desigualdades urbanas em atividade física.

Prevalence of health promotion programs in primary health care units in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of prevalence of health promotion programs in primary health care units within Brazil's health system. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study based on telephone interviews with managers of primary care units. Of a total 42,486 primary health care units listed in the Brazilian Unified Health System directory, 1,600 were randomly selected. Care units from all five Brazilian macroregions were selected proportionally to the number of units in each region. We examined whether any of the following five different types of health promotion programs was available: physical activity; smoking cessation; cessation of alcohol and illicit drug use; healthy eating; and healthy environment. Information was collected on the kinds of activities offered and the status of implementation of the Family Health Strategy at the units. RESULTS: Most units (62.0%) reported having in place three health promotion programs or more and only 3.0% reported having none. Healthy environment (77.0%) and healthy eating (72.0%) programs were the most widely available; smoking and alcohol use cessation were reported in 54.0% and 42.0% of the units. Physical activity programs were offered in less than 40.0% of the units and their availability varied greatly nationwide, from 51.0% in the Southeast to as low as 21.0% in the North. The Family Health Strategy was implemented in most units (61.0%); however, they did not offer more health promotion programs than others did. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that most primary care units have in place health promotion programs. Public policies are needed to strengthen primary care services and improve training of health providers to meet the goals of the agenda for health promotion in Brazil.

Prevalence of health promotion programs in primary health care units in Brazil / Prevalência de programas de promoção da saúde em unidades básicas de saúde no Brasil

OBJECTIVE Assessment of prevalence of health promotion programs in primary health care units within Brazil’s health system. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study based on telephone interviews with managers of primary care units. Of a total 42,486 primary health care units listed in the Brazilian Unified Health System directory, 1,600 were randomly selected. Care units from all five Brazilian macroregions were selected proportionally to the number of units in each region. We examined whether any of the following five different types of health promotion programs was available: physical activity; smoking cessation; cessation of alcohol and illicit drug use; healthy eating; and healthy environment. Information was collected on the kinds of activities offered and the status of implementation of the Family Health Strategy at the units. RESULTS Most units (62.0%) reported having in place three health promotion programs or more and only 3.0% reported having none. Healthy environment (77.0%) and healthy eating (72.0%) programs were the most widely available; smoking and alcohol use cessation were reported in 54.0% and 42.0% of the units. Physical activity programs were offered in less than 40.0% of the units and their availability varied greatly nationwide, from 51.0% in the Southeast to as low as 21.0% in the North. The Family Health Strategy was implemented in most units (61.0%); however, they did not offer more health promotion programs than others did. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that most primary care units have in place health promotion programs. Public policies are needed to strengthen primary care services and improve training of health providers to meet the goals of the agenda for health promotion in Brazil. .

OBJETIVO Estimar a prevalência de programas de promoção da saúde nas unidades básicas de saúde no Brasil. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal descritivo realizado por meio de entrevistas telefônicas com coordenadores de unidades básicas de saúde. Do total de 42.486 unidades básicas de saúde cadastradas pelo Ministério da Saúde, 1.600 foram aleatoriamente selecionadas. As unidades foram amostradas nas cinco regiões do País de acordo com a proporção de unidades em cada região. Foi analisada a presença ou não de cinco programas de promoção da saúde: promoção de atividade física, cessação de tabagismo, cessação de uso de álcool e drogas ilícitas, alimentação saudável e ambiente saudável. Foram coletados dados sobre o tipo de ações desenvolvidas nos programas e a presença ou não da Estratégia de Saúde da Família na unidade. RESULTADOS A maioria das unidades básicas de saúde (62,0%) referiu ter pelo menos três programas de promoção da saúde e apenas 3,0% não tinha nenhum. A promoção do ambiente saudável e da alimentação saudável foram os programas mais prevalentes (77,0% e 72,0%, respectivamente), enquanto o controle do tabaco e do álcool foram referidos em 54,0% e 42,0% das unidades de saúde, respectivamente. A promoção de atividade física foi referida em menos de 40,0% das unidades e teve grande variação regional, com prevalência de 51,0% nas unidades do Sudeste e apenas 21,0% nas do Norte. A maioria das unidades de saúde (61,0%) oferecia Estratégia de Saúde da Família, porém não foi verificada maior prevalência de programas de promoção da saúde nessas unidades em relação ...