HEALS: A Faith-Based Hypertension Control and Prevention Program for African American Churches: Training

Objective: To determine the feasibility of a behavioral faith-based PREMIER study modified hypertension (HTN) control intervention in a semi urban African-American (AA) church. Methods: In a prospective longitudinal study design, a 12-week behavioral HEALS (Healthy Eating and Liv-ing Spiritually) intervention was tested for its feasibility and efficacy in a semi urban AA church. High-risk adult church members with HTN were recruited. Program sessions were weekly deli-vered by the trained church members. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Re-sults: 22 of 34 subjects (65 % retention) provided complete information on the outcome measures. Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) reduction from baseline was 22 mmHg (p < 0.001) and 6.5 mmHg for diastolic BP (p = 0.0048). Mean weight reduction of 3.11 kg from the baseline (p < 0.0001) was also observed. 91 % subjects attended 7- 9 sessions. Conclusion: Promoting beha-vioral HTN control interventions in high risk AAs by empowering AA church communities is feasi-ble and efficacious