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Global Translational Medicine Recent community-based CVD interventions

identified in Hispanic populations. Similar positive results as expanded academic collaborations to generate scientific
are seen in North American indigenous populations. evidence from its community initiatives.
A meta-analysis of 1986 studies on CVD in indigenous One of these relevant local initiatives, the Church-
communities suggested that adapting a model of heart based Health Intervention to Eliminate Racial Inequalities
health that incorporates traditional indigenous notions in Cardiovascular Health (CHERISH) Study, uses the
of heart health and integrating community members into potential of faith-based community interventions in
care vastly improved health outcomes. Patient education addressing cardiovascular disparities. Funded by the
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programs incorporating modern medicine with traditional National Institutes of Health (NIH), CHERISH is a 7-year
indigenous storytelling and ceremony were especially RCT partnering with over 40 predominantly African–
valuable in improving outcomes or older indigenous American churches across New Orleans. The intervention
persons. Trials conducted in rural settings, both in the trains community health workers to deliver cardiovascular
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US and internationally, have also demonstrated significant prevention strategies aligned with the 2019 American
benefits. A recent intervention conducted in rural China, College of Cardiology/American Heart Association
where patients with uncontrolled hypertension were guidelines. By embedding health promotion into trusted
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assigned to a non-physician community-based provider, church environments, CHERISH aims to reduce disparities
was associated with a reduction in systolic blood pressure in blood pressure, cholesterol, and overall cardiovascular
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by 23 mmHg compared with usual care. Studies in rural risk through education, coaching, and sustained behavioral
Kentucky examining the effect of community health support.
workers on patients with type 2 diabetes found that the
workers markedly improved patient confidence and self- Another HHCPP effort, the Text My BP Meds NOLA
worth but lagged in improving heart-healthy behavior study, was an innovative digital health initiative designed
or HbA1c levels. This underscores the need to develop to improve hypertension control in Black adults residing
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new strategies that are molded to specific populations. in New Orleans. The program utilized simple cell phone
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Community health interventions could define a new text message-based technology to deliver regular messages
standard of care for CVD prevention, but it is imperative to participants regarding medication adherence and blood
that these programs are adjusted based on individual pressure self-monitoring. The study showed significant
communities and that their planning involves the voices improvements in medication adherence and blood
of those communities. Much more work needs to be pressure.
done to establish how community interventions can be In a more recent academic partnership with Tulane
employed in different geographic and demographic areas. University, and in response to the increasing rates of obesity
However, navigating a dynamic political climate to ensure and use of glucagon like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1a) for
a consistent stream of funding is a critical factor for all cardiometabolic disease management, HCCP is working
researchers. on a pilot community-based intervention that will
integrate culinary classes, cardiovascular health education,
5. Key innovations in community-based and personalized digital meal-planning tools, to enhance
cardiovascular interventions the effects of GLP-1a, preserve muscle mass, and promote
The HHCPP emerged during the 1990s as a pioneering sustainable lifestyle changes. Currently submitted for NIH
community-based initiative to reduce cardiovascular funding through the Louisiana Clinical and Translational
risk in African–American populations. 15,16 It focused on Science Center, the program seeks to equip participants
building strong partnerships within the backbone of the with skills and resources that persist even when access to
community including with barbershops, beauty salons, GLP-1a medications is lost due to any reason including
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churches, and healthcare professionals to promote healthy insurance coverage issues which frequently occurs.
lifestyle changes in a culturally relevant fashion that Recent evidence from large-scale trials further
resonated with the community. Major outreach activities supports the strategies embedded within programs such
included blood pressure screenings during barbershop as the HHCPP. A 2024 meta-analysis of digital health
visits, health messages delivered during church worship interventions for management of hypertension in the US
services, clinical symposia for local healthcare professionals populations experiencing health disparities showed that
aimed at improving hypertension and lipid guideline most of the 28 included studies examined multicomponent
adherence, and efforts to reduce vaccination hesitancy. digital health interventions incorporating digital
Today, HHCPP remains active through various community health (remote blood pressure monitoring in this case),
outreach programs such as health fairs, healthy cooking community health workers or nurses, and/or cultural
classes, health education and faith-based programs, as well modifications, components critical to community-based

Volume 4 Issue 3 (2025) 54 doi: 10.36922/GTM025170040