National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 16 of 16 Research Studies DisplayedWhooten RC, Horan C, Cordes J
Evaluating the implementation of a before-school physical activity program: a mixed-methods approach in Massachusetts, 2018.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a widely available, before-school, physical activity program in a low-resource, racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse, urban school setting to identify adaptations needed for successful implementation. The investigators used a collaborative effort with stakeholders to implement the Build Our Kids' Success (BOKS) program in 3 schools in Revere, Massachusetts.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Whooten RC, Horan C, Cordes J .
Evaluating the implementation of a before-school physical activity program: a mixed-methods approach in Massachusetts, 2018.
Prev Chronic Dis 2020 Oct 1;17:E116. doi: 10.5888/pcd17.190445..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Education, Implementation, Health Promotion, Prevention, Lifestyle Changes, Social Determinants of Health
Aguilera A, Figueroa CA, Hernandez-Ramos R
mHealth app using machine learning to increase physical activity in diabetes and depression: clinical trial protocol for the DIAMANTE study.
In this randomized controlled trial, the researchers’ goal is to examine the effect of a text-messaging smartphone application to encourage physical activity in low-income ethnic minority patients with comorbid diabetes and depression. They will compare passively collected daily step counts, self-reported PHQ-8 and most recent hemoglobin A1c from medical records at baseline and at intervention completion at 6-month follow-up. They plan to submit manuscripts describing their user-designed methods and testing of the adaptive learning algorithm and will submit the results of the trial for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific meetings.
AHRQ-funded; HS025429.
Citation: Aguilera A, Figueroa CA, Hernandez-Ramos R .
mHealth app using machine learning to increase physical activity in diabetes and depression: clinical trial protocol for the DIAMANTE study.
BMJ Open 2020 Aug 20;10(8):e034723. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034723..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income, Health Promotion
Payán DD, Maggard-Gibbons M, Flórez KR
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Risk for Breast Cancer (CUIDARSE): a randomized controlled trial of a health communication intervention for Latinas.
Latinas in the United States are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer (BC) compared to non-Latinas. Literacy-appropriate and culturally sensitive cancer communication interventions can help address existing racial/ethnic BC disparities. In this study, the investigators formatively developed a new BC prevention brochure for Spanish-speaking Latinas (≥35 years) and conducted a randomized controlled trial of a health communication intervention for Latinas.
AHRQ-funded; HS019264.
Citation: Payán DD, Maggard-Gibbons M, Flórez KR .
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Risk for Breast Cancer (CUIDARSE): a randomized controlled trial of a health communication intervention for Latinas.
Health Educ Behav 2020 Aug;47(4):569-80. doi: 10.1177/1090198120920529..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Health Literacy, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Cultural Competence, Health Promotion, Communication, Women, Community-Based Practice
Nelson HD, Cantor A, Wagner J
Effectiveness of patient navigation to increase cancer screening in populations adversely affected by health disparities: a meta-analysis.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of patient navigation to increase screening for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer in populations adversely affected by health care disparities. Two of the investigators independently abstracted study data and assessed study quality and applicability using criteria adapted from the USPSTF. Findings indicated that, in populations adversely affected by disparities, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screening rates were higher in patients provided navigation services.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500009I.
Citation: Nelson HD, Cantor A, Wagner J .
Effectiveness of patient navigation to increase cancer screening in populations adversely affected by health disparities: a meta-analysis.
J Gen Intern Med 2020 Jul 22;35(10):3026-35. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06020-9..
Keywords: Cancer, Disparities, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Women, Health Promotion
Krist AH, O'Loughlin K, Woolf SH
Enhanced care planning and clinical-community linkages versus usual care to address basic needs of patients with multiple chronic conditions: a clinician-level randomized controlled trial.
This paper describes the beginning of a clinician-level cluster-randomized controlled trial to evaluate how primary care clinicians can participate in community and hospital solutions to connecting patients with needed services and whether doing so is effective in controlling multiple chronic conditions. Electronic health records will be used to identify patients with these conditions, including cardiovascular disease or risks, diabetes, obesity, or depression.
AHRQ-funded; HS026223.
Citation: Krist AH, O'Loughlin K, Woolf SH .
Enhanced care planning and clinical-community linkages versus usual care to address basic needs of patients with multiple chronic conditions: a clinician-level randomized controlled trial.
Trials 2020 Jun 11;21(1):517. doi: 10.1186/s13063-020-04463-3..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Primary Care, Health Promotion, Access to Care
Whitley MD, Payán DD, Flórez KR
Feasibility and acceptability of a mobile messaging program within a church-based healthy living intervention for African Americans and Latinos.
Church-based programs can act on multiple levels to improve dietary and physical activity behaviors among African Americans and Latinos. However, the effectiveness of these interventions may be limited due to challenges in reaching all congregants or influencing behavior outside of the church setting. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile messaging program within a church-based healthy living intervention for African Americans and Latinos.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Whitley MD, Payán DD, Flórez KR .
Feasibility and acceptability of a mobile messaging program within a church-based healthy living intervention for African Americans and Latinos.
Health Informatics J 2020 Jun;26(2):880-96. doi: 10.1177/1460458219853408..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Community-Based Practice, Health Information Technology (HIT), Health Promotion
Sun CJ, Anderson KM, Kuhn T
A sexual health promotion app for transgender women (Trans Women Connected): development and usability study.
HIV severely impacts the transgender communities in the United States, and transgender women have the highest HIV incidence rates among any identified risk group. Guided by formative research with transgender women and by an expert advisory panel of transgender women, the investigators designed a prototype mobile app to promote HIV prevention among transgender women. This study aimed to develop and test the usability and acceptability of the prototype Trans Women Connected mobile app.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Sun CJ, Anderson KM, Kuhn T .
A sexual health promotion app for transgender women (Trans Women Connected): development and usability study.
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2020 May 12;8(5):e15888. doi: 10.2196/15888..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Health Promotion, Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Prevention, Women
Rinehart DJ, Leslie S, Durfee MJ
Acceptability and efficacy of a sexual health texting intervention designed to support adolescent females.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a pilot texting intervention ("t4she") in primary care designed to increase sexual health knowledge and promote dual protection strategies to reduce unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among adolescent females. The investigators concluded that the pilot t4she sexual health intervention significantly improved knowledge and use of short-acting prescription birth control among young females in primary care and was acceptable by youth and feasible to implement.
AHRQ-funded; HS022143.
Citation: Rinehart DJ, Leslie S, Durfee MJ .
Acceptability and efficacy of a sexual health texting intervention designed to support adolescent females.
Acad Pediatr 2020 May-Jun;20(4):475-84. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2019.09.004..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Sexual Health, Women, Health Information Technology (HIT), Health Promotion
Flórez KR, Payán DD, Palar K
Church-based interventions to address obesity among African Americans and Latinos in the United States: a systematic review.
This systematic literature review examined the impact of multilevel church-based interventions to address racial/ethnic disparities in obesity in the US. The review identified 43 relevant articles using systematic review methods developed by the CDC’s Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Although 81% of the studies reported significant results, effective size was reported or could only be calculated in 56% of the cases. A lack of diversity among the samples was also found with few studies involving Latinos, men, young adults, or children. Few interventions were actually multilevel in nature or incorporated strategies at the church or community. Greater diversity is needed in future church-based interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Flórez KR, Payán DD, Palar K .
Church-based interventions to address obesity among African Americans and Latinos in the United States: a systematic review.
Nutr Rev 2020 Apr;78(4):304-22. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuz046..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Obesity, Obesity: Weight Management, Disparities, Health Promotion, Prevention
Connor KA, Cheng D, Strobino D
Preconception health promotion among Maryland women.
The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with receipt of preconception care (PCC) health promotion counseling among Maryland women and to assess whether prior birth outcome affects receipt of counseling. PCC receipt in the sample, consistent with analyses of older data, was low at 33 percent for all women and 28 percent for women with a prior live birth.
AHRQ-funded; HS017596.
Citation: Connor KA, Cheng D, Strobino D .
Preconception health promotion among Maryland women.
Matern Child Health J 2014 Dec;18(10):2437-45. doi: 10.1007/s10995-014-1482-3..
Keywords: Health Promotion, Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Women
Pignone MP, Crutchfield TM, Brown PM
Using a discrete choice experiment to inform the design of programs to promote colon cancer screening for vulnerable populations in North Carolina.
This study used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to learn about how vulnerable individuals in North Carolina value different aspects of CRC screening programs. It found that follow-up cost coverage was most frequently found to be the most important attribute from the DCE (47 percent); followed by test reward/copayment (33 percent).
AHRQ-funded; HS019468.
Citation: Pignone MP, Crutchfield TM, Brown PM .
Using a discrete choice experiment to inform the design of programs to promote colon cancer screening for vulnerable populations in North Carolina.
BMC Health Serv Res 2014 Nov 30;14:611. doi: 10.1186/s12913-014-0611-4..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Health Promotion, Rural Health, Screening, Social Determinants of Health
Mitchell SE, Mako M, Sadikova E
The comparative experiences of women in control: diabetes self-management education in a virtual world.
The investigators characterized participants' experiences of a diabetes self-management (DSM) education program delivered via a virtual world (VW) versus a face-to-face (F2F) format. They found that VW and F2F groups both reported mastery of DSM knowledge, attitudes, and skills, and there were no differences in peer-derived social support between groups. The technological aspects of VW participation afforded VW participants a unique sense of personal agency and diabetes self-efficacy not reported by F2F participants. They concluded that DSM education in a VW is feasible and educational outcomes are similar to a F2F classroom experience.
AHRQ-funded; HS019771.
Citation: Mitchell SE, Mako M, Sadikova E .
The comparative experiences of women in control: diabetes self-management education in a virtual world.
J Diabetes Sci Technol 2014 Nov;8(6):1185-92. doi: 10.1177/1932296814549829.
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Keywords: Education: Patient and Caregiver, Diabetes, Health Promotion, Patient Self-Management
Eapen ZJ, Liang L, Shubrook JH
Current quality of cardiovascular prevention for Million Hearts: an analysis of 147,038 outpatients from The Guideline Advantage.
This study examined adherence to clinical quality measures focusing on antiplatelet drugs for ischemic vascular disease, blood pressure control for hypertension, cholesterol control for diabetes, and tobacco use screening among 145,038 patients from 25 U.S. practices. It found that black and people of color races were associated with a lower likelihood of blood pressure and cholesterol control.
AHRQ-funded; HS021092
Citation: Eapen ZJ, Liang L, Shubrook JH .
Current quality of cardiovascular prevention for Million Hearts: an analysis of 147,038 outpatients from The Guideline Advantage.
Am Heart J. 2014 Sep;168(3):398-404. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2014.06.007..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Promotion, Heart Disease and Health, Quality Improvement, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Robinson MN, Tansil KA, Elder RW
AHRQ Author: Miller T
Mass media health communication campaigns combined with health-related product distribution: a community guide systematic review.
The researchers conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of health communication campaigns that use multiple channels, including mass media, and distribute health-related products. They concluded that health communication campaigns that combine mass media and other communication channels with distribution of free or reduced-price health-related products are effective in improving healthy behaviors. They expect this intervention to be applicable across U.S. demographic groups, with appropriate population targeting.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Robinson MN, Tansil KA, Elder RW .
Mass media health communication campaigns combined with health-related product distribution: a community guide systematic review.
Am J Prev Med 2014 Sep;47(3):360-71. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2014.05.034.
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Keywords: Communication, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Health Promotion, Lifestyle Changes, Social Media, Tobacco Use
Burke JF, Vijan S, Chekan LA
Targeting high-risk employees may reduce cardiovascular racial disparities.
A possible remedy for health disparities is for employers to promote cardiovascular health among minority employees. However, this study finds that there was no significant per person differential attributable to racial disparities for heart attack and stroke. A primary implication is that targeting cardiovascular disease strategies for African Americans is unlikely to be cost saving for employers.
AHRQ-funded; HS017690
Citation: Burke JF, Vijan S, Chekan LA .
Targeting high-risk employees may reduce cardiovascular racial disparities.
Am J Manag Care. 2014 Sep;20(9):725-33..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Disparities, Healthcare Costs, Health Promotion, Health Status, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Berger Z, Flickinger TE, Pfoh E
Promoting engagement by patients and families to reduce adverse events in acute care settings: a systematic review.
This review examined how interventions encouraging patient and family engagement have been implemented in controlled trials. Among 12 identified studies, the authors noted that definitions of patient and family engagement were lacking. They found insufficient high-quality evidence to inform real-world implementation and provided recommendations for further study.
AHRQ-funded; 290200710062I.
Citation: Berger Z, Flickinger TE, Pfoh E .
Promoting engagement by patients and families to reduce adverse events in acute care settings: a systematic review.
BMJ Qual Saf 2014 Jul;23(7):548-55. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2012-001769.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Health Promotion, Patient and Family Engagement, Patient Safety, Prevention