Collaborate and Leverage Evidence in African American Rural Network

Implementation of Heart Matters Evidence-based Program

The goal of this non-randomized, propensity-matched-controlled study is to assess the effectiveness of the Heart Matters evidence-based program -- previously evaluated for feasibility and efficacy in NCT02707432 -- in improving cardiovascular health outcomes (change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, primary outcomes) when implemented by community-based facilitators.

The research team will use a non-randomized, propensity-matched-controlled design to evaluate the effectiveness of the Heart Matters evidence-based program -- previously evaluated for feasibility and efficacy under NCT02707432 -- in improving cardiovascular health outcomes when scaled in multiple rural, eastern North Carolina counties and implemented by community-based facilitators.

This study aims to recruit 210 participants, 70 of whom will be propensity-score-matched with participants from NCT02707432. Propensity-score-matching will allow for flexibility in recruitment, statistical rigor, and resource efficiency. The research team hypothesizes that matched participants in the present study will show significant improvements in health outcomes (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure) compared to the matched NCT02707432 controls.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Identify as Black or African American
• Reside in rural, eastern North Carolina
• Self-report at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor, such as pre-diabetes, pre-hypertension or stage one hypertension, obesity, or family history of early heart disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of active or unstable cardiovascular disease
• Cognitive impairment that limits informed consent