Successful evidence-based programming for older racial and ethnic minority participants: Implications for program implementation and dissemination

In spite of growing proportions of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, these populations are underrepresented in evidence-based programs for seniors. The purpose of this study is to identify personal characteristics of minority participants enrolled in A Matter of Balance (AMOB) and outcomes associated with self-reported health status and days of good physical health. Data were collected from seniors enrolled in AMOB sessions conducted in Texas between September 2007 and January 2009. Pre- and post-test data of 220 racial/ethnic minority participants were drawn from a larger statewide dataset comprised of 37.2% minorities. In these analyses, 86.4% of respondents were female, 51.8% were age 75 years or older, 54.9% did not graduate high school, 51.4% lived alone, 87.3% resided in metropolitan areas, 61.8% resided in areas with median incomes below poverty, and 39.1% reported their health status at baseline to be fair or poor. Minority participants reported significant increases in self-reported health status (t(219) = 3.053, p = .003) and in the number of days their physical health was good (t(219) = 2.40, p = .017). Results further indicated that participants with higher education had larger improvements in reported general health status (â = -.126, p = .019, Adj R2 = .395). Findings from this study support the effectiveness of evidence-based programs for diverse groups of minority seniors. Identifying participant characteristics and positive outcomes specific to racial/ethnic minorities can inform strategies to maximize program reach and effectiveness in vulnerable and underserved populations.