Tulane University Receives $8.7 Million Grant to Study Role of Churches in Eliminating Cardiovascular Health Disparities among African Americans

' Jing Chen PhD '

In a significant development, Tulane University has received an $8.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study whether churches can play a vital role in reducing cardiovascular health disparities among African Americans in Louisiana and beyond. The project, led by Jiang He, professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, aims to develop deep community partnerships and produce research that can help address the staggering burden of cardiovascular disease risks faced by African Americans in Louisiana.

According to Dr. He, African Americans in Louisiana bear a disproportionately high burden of cardiovascular disease due to factors such as lifestyle choices, diet, limited access to healthcare, and higher rates of obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, making this project all the more crucial.

The program will focus on promoting healthy eating habits, regular exercise, weight loss, improving cholesterol levels, addressing high blood pressure, and controlling other risk factors as outlined in the 2019 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. Tulane will recruit and train community health workers to implement a comprehensive health and lifestyle coaching program for congregants in predominantly African American churches in New Orleans and Bogalusa, Louisiana.

'This project will allow us to develop deep, lasting community partnerships and produce needed research that hopefully moves the needle on cardiovascular health disparities here in Louisiana and beyond,' said Dr. He. 'The burden of cardiovascular disease risks among African Americans in Louisiana is staggering and reflects an inequity that we must all play a part in remedying.'

With this grant, Tulane University will be able to make a significant impact on reducing cardiovascular health disparities among African Americans in Louisiana and beyond. The project's findings are expected to have far-reaching implications for the development of targeted interventions and strategies aimed at promoting cardiovascular health equity.

By leveraging the trusted relationships between churches and their congregants, this project has the potential to reach and benefit thousands of individuals who may not have access to traditional healthcare services or resources. As Dr. He noted, 'The National Institutes of Health awarded a $8.7 million grant to Tulane University to study whether churches can play a significant role in helping to eliminate cardiovascular health disparities among African Americans.' With this grant, Tulane University is poised to make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals and communities affected by cardiovascular disease.

Jing chen phd