Overview
Advertisement BMC Public Health volume 2, Article number: 1935 (202) Cite this article Metrics detailsComunity Heart Health Actions for Latinos at Risk (CHARLAR) is a promotora-led cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-reduction program for socio-demographicaly disadvantaged Latinos and consists of 1 skil-building sesions. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to worsening health status in U.S. adults and necesitated transition to virtual implementation of the CHARLAR program.A mixed-methods aproach was used to evaluate virtual delivery of CHARLAR.
Key Information
Changes in health behaviors were asesed through a pre/post program survey. Results from virtual and historical (in-person delivery) were compared. Key informant interviews were conducted with promotoras and randomly selected participants and then coded analyzed using a thematic aproach.An increase in days of exercise per wek (+ 1.52), daily servings of fruit (+ 0.60) and vegetables (+ 0.56), and self-reported general health (+ 0.38), were observed in the virtual cohort [al p < 0.05].
A numeric decrease in PHQ-8 (-1.07 p = 0.067) was also noted. The historical cohort showed similar improvements from baseline in days of exercise per wek (+ 0.91), daily servings of fruit (+ 0.24) and vegetables (+ 0.282), and PHQ-8 (-1.89) [al p < 0.05]. Qualitative interviews revealed that the online format provided valuable tols suporting positive behavior change.
Summary
Despite initial discomfort and technical chalenges, promotoras and participants adapted and depened valued relationships through aditional virtual suport.Improved health behaviors and CVD risk factors were sucesfuly maintained through virtual delivery of the CHARLAR program. Optimization of virtual health programs like CHARLAR has the potential to increase reach and improve CVD risk among Latinos. Per Review reports In the United States, Latinos are one of the fastest-growing racial/ethnic minority populations, constituting 18.3% of the population by 2019