Developing Novel Intervention Approaches to Mitigate Cardiovascular Risk among Young African-American Women

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PROJECT SUMMARY Hypertension contributes to high rates of morbidity and mortality of other chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and end stage renal disease. African Americans (AAs) are more likely to develop high blood pressure and at a younger age compared to other racial/ethnic groups, and despite higher treatment rates, are less likely to have blood pressure under control. Racial disparities persist by sex—AA women have higher incidence of hypertension and earlier onset compared to their white counterparts. Experiences of stress, including race- and gender-related stress, and stress-related coping are thought to be at the root of these disparities. African American women demonstrate greater stress as evidenced by higher allostatic load over the life course relative to male and white counterparts. Higher incidence and earlier onset of hypertension make younger AA women a prime target for prevention; however, the development of effective prevention-focused interventions is inhibited by limited understanding of underlying mechanisms in this subgroup. To fill these critical gaps, this proposal will use a sequential mixed methods approach, including the following: 1) quantifying stress responses in vivo using a 14-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) protocol with 24-hour physiological monitoring; and 2) developing and testing the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a stress management intervention that may mitigate the effects of the chronic stress on blood pressure levels in young AA women. The candidate for this mentored Career Development Award, Dr. Anika L. Hines, is an Assistant Professor in Health Behavior and Policy at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Her long term career goal is to: 1) become an independent investigator who explicates the complex and cumulative effects of stress in the lived experiences of racial/ethnic minorities within the context of health disparities; and 2) design and implement innovative, evidence-based interventions and policies to address these stressors using an interdisciplinary, socioecological approach. During this award, Dr. Hines will undergo rigorous didactic and research training, including an didactic courses, experiential lab training, and practical research experience, that will substantially build her skills in intervention development and the conduct of randomized controlled trials for behavioral interventions. These career development activities will be conducted within the rich training environment of Virginia's largest academic medical center with direct guidance from mentors, advisors, and collaborators with expertise in multi-level and behavioral interventions, evidence-based behavioral medicine approaches, race-related stress, qualitative methods, physiological pathways linking stress and cardiovascular risks, advanced statistical analyses, health equity, and grant development. These activities will provide Dr. Hines with a solid foundation to ensure her successful transition to an independent, interdisciplinary investigator who is well equipped to conduct behavioral intervention trials in service of health equity.