In the United States, compared to Caucasians, African American and other ethnic minority females are more likely to be obese and less physically active. These factors place them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. To address this health disparity, the HHER Tools project developed and demonstrated a system for redesigning effective dietary and physical activity counseling tools to be culturally relevant. This project occurred over 5 phases. Phase 1 involved the identification and cataloging of state-of-the-art dietary and physical activity counseling tools that have been used effectively to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. During Phase 2, information gathered on communication principles, educational tools assessment, and cultural competence were reviewed in order to develop a form to assess the effectiveness of counseling tools and their relevance to financially disadvantaged African American women in South Carolina. In Phase 3, using the criteria developed in Phase 2, content specific expert panels reviewed tools and selected those most useful and effective in a clinical practice setting. In Phase 4, tools selected by the expert panels were presented to consumer focus groups to determine their cultural appropriateness, clarity, and appeal. During Phase 5, tools were redesigned and pre-tested with consumer focus groups to gauge the target audience response to the new tool and determine if the redesigned tool is attractive, comprehensible, acceptable, appropriate, and relevant. This session will present the HHER Tools system and it's application.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: -articulate the HHER Tools system for redesigning dietary and physical activity counseling tools to be culturally relevant -describe the criteria used by expert panels to select dietary and physical activity counseling tools which would be useful and effective in a clinical setting -identify aspects of dietary and physical activity counseling tools which make the tool culturally relevant
Keywords: Communication, Minority Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.