Project Title: Perceived Discrimination and Mental Health among African American Adolescents

PI: Eleanor Seaton

Institution: UNC Chapel Hill

Synopsis: The purpose of this study is threefold: (a) to examine the frequency of discriminatory treatment using the experiential sampling procedure, (b) to assess the influence of perceived discrimination on mental health on a daily basis and (c) to examine the moderating capacity of racial identity in the daily relationship between perceptions of racial discrimination and mental health.  African Americans (N = 50) in high school (age 14 - 18) will be recruited to participate in a daily diary study from high schools in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro school district.  The primary methodology consists of adolescent completing daily surveys assessing perceptions of racial discrimination, racial identity and depressive symptoms via the Internet for two weeks to examine the daily association among the study constructs.  Findings from the proposed project will serve as publishable data and also pilot data for a grant submission to the NIH.      

Project Title: Reducing Obesity among African American Females on a Historically Black College and University Campus

PI: Michele Sandra Blackstock

Institution: North Carolina A&T State University

Synopsis: This study will conduct a needs analysis of obesity among African American female college students on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina to determine if there is relationship between certain lifestyle behaviors and obesity in this population.  Investigators will survey African American females regarding their lifestyle behaviors, dietary habits, and exercise behaviors.  This initial investigation will constitute a vital foundational data base for developing a comprehensive action plan to combat obesity among African American females on the campus of NCA&T.  This study could also lead to models or interventions that could be replicated at other Historically Black College and University campuses.

Project Title: Network-Aware Modeling of HIV

PI: Peter Mucha

Institution: UNC Chapel Hill

Synopsis: This study will create a micro-simulation to model the spread of HIV under artificial situations where full information of the underlying sexual networks is specified.  The results from this simulation will be used to develop network-aware compartmental models which combine the use of network information (e.g., degree correlations and triad counts) with existing best practices in compartmental modeling for HIV.  The networks used to test these models will be drawn from multiple data sources.  This pilot study will also address the reality of missing data and investigate existing tools to predict and correct for missing network information.  The preliminary findings from this study can be used to direct a future study to develop more accurate models that may illuminate the reasons for ethnic disparities in HIV.

Project Title: Odors, Health, and Quality of Life in a Community Bordering a Landfill

PI: Karin Yeatts

Institution: UNC Chapel Hill

Synopsis: This project builds on an existing community-based participatory research partnership with the Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood Association (RENA).  The aims of this project are to: (1) quantify community exposures to airborne hydrogen sulfide (H_2­S) emissions from the landfill; (2) evaluate relationships between H₂S exposures and odor, health, irritation, quality of life, and mood measures; (3) quantify microbial, chemical, and metal emissions from the landfill in community water supplies; and (4) support RENA's efforts to adapt and replicate this pilot in landfill host-communities facing similar environmental and health disparities. This pilot will provide preliminary scientific data on the health effects of landfills, uniquely positioning us to extend our approach to landfill host communities across N.C., the Southeast, and the U.S.

 

Project Title: Overcoming Barriers to Communication between Non-native Spanish-speaking Clinicians and Latino patients with Limited English Proficiency: A Pilot Study
PI: Darren Dewalt and Dan Reuland
Institution: UNC Chapel Hill

Synopsis: This study explores a novel method of assessing the quality of English and Spanish health communication delivered by clinicians who are not native Spanish speakers. This study focuses on clinicians who are medical students and residents. Each participant will evaluate two standardized patients (SPs) with diabetes. The cases will be similar in terms of clinical content and complexity, and each SP will be able to portray his/her case either in English or in Spanish. Encounters will be audio-taped and coded for quality of communication using three scales. This pilot study will lay the groundwork for a larger study that will define specific problematic areas of health communication across this language barrier that are the most critical targets for intervention.

Project Title: Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to HIV Testing among Latino Men in North Carolina (Developmental Funding)
PI: Lisa Hightow-Weidman
Institution: UNC Chapel Hill

Synopsis: This study explores a mixed methods approach to quantitatively measure HIV testing knowledge, attitude and behaviors through a survey of three target populations, Latino men accessing HIV testing services in a local health department, a community sample of recently immigrated Latino men and a sample of high-risk Latino men recruited through respondent-driven sampling. To complement these quantitative measures, focus groups with 8-10 men will be conducted in each of the three target populations to qualitatively determine both facilitators and barriers to HIV testing. Findings from this pilot study will provide preliminary evidence for an intervention study to increase access to and acceptance of HIV testing in Latino men in North Carolina.

Project Title: NCCU Eat Smart Be Active II
PI: Seronda Jackson
Institution: North Carolina Central University

Synopsis: This study aims to identify motivators and steps for implementing sustainable health promotion activities among North Carolina Central University students and to assess students' experiences and their abilities to maintain these behaviors. A sample of at least one hundred students will be recruited from the HEDU 1531 Health courses. Students will be divided into groups and weekly journals and focus groups with self-identified leaders from the groups will be used to gain qualitative indicators of barriers, motivators, strengths, and weaknesses of the programs. This project will provide knowledge regarding motivators and skills for promoting positive lifestyle changes among college students.

Project Title: Table Talk: An intergenerational conversation about diet, physical activity and weight among African American females
PI: Carmen Samuel-Hodge
Institution: UNC Chapel Hill

Synopsis: The purpose of this study is to inform an intervention to address the issue of obesity and the prevention of primary and secondary health conditions among African American females across the lifespan utilizing a qualitative approach. The development of interventions to promote physical activity among African American females and other groups at high risk for health risks related to sedentary lifestyles is a public health priority. Studies also point to the need for family-focused, developmentally appropriate, gender and culturally appropriate and relevant interventions; this study will inform such an intervention.

2006 Pilot Award Recipients

Project Title: The Mothers and Daughters HIV/AIDS Prevention Series: The Power of Intergenerational Communication and Expression
PI: Michele Berger, PhD
Institution: UNC-Chapel Hill

Synopsis: This project is studying the role of intergenerational communication between African American mothers and daughters and how it might be harnessed and enhanced in order to develop effective interventions. The project involves exploring the nature of intergenerational communication about health, well-being and transitions to 'young womanhood' among African American mothers and daughters. It seeks to answer: Can an intergenerational intervention targeting both mothers and their adolescent daughters be effective in reducing risks associated with HIV/AIDS?

Project Title: The Health Implications of Inter-Generational Changes in Food Consumption Patterns among English-Speaking Caribbean Immigrants
PI: Walter Charles, PhD
Institution: NC Central University

Synopsis: This study is exploring inter-generational changes in food consumption patterns. Through 40 qualitative, in-depth interviews with first and second-generation English-speaking Caribbean immigrants living in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. region, changing patterns of food consumption, and the determinants of these changes will be explored. Based on the qualitative findings, a scale to assess dietary acculturation will be developed and evaluated with a developmental sample of 300 English-speaking immigrants from the Washington, D.C. region. Describing changes in food consumption patterns and developing a tool to assess dietary acculturation are the first steps towards interventions to reduce the disparity in obesity and obesity related health complications in this population.

Project Title: Patient Preferences in Post Acute Stroke Rehabilitation Destination
PI: Patricia Gregory, MD
Institution: UNC-Chapel Hill

Synopsis: This study is conducting a pilot patient survey to evaluate patient preferences at the time of stroke. Investigators are administering a pilot questionnaire to stroke patients acutely admitted to two hospitals (UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC and Southeast Regional Medical Center in Lumberton, NC) to assess their preferences regarding their post stroke rehabilitation. This study proposes to determine 1. If disparities exist between minority (African-American and American Indian) and white patients' preferences in the setting and intensity of their rehabilitation acutely following stroke and its relationship to their final discharge destination. 2. The distance minority stroke patients are willing to travel to receive rehabilitation services in comparison to white stroke patients. 3. Racial disparities between minority and white stroke patients about education received and prior knowledge of rehabilitation services.

Project Title: Ensuring the Success of Hispanic Nursing Students at Historically Black Universities - Recruitment and Retention of Hispanic Nursing Students
PI: Laura McQueen, PhD
Institution: NC A&T State University

Synopsis: This study developed, tested, and implemented a needs analysis and interest survey for middle school students in Guilford County, NC who were Hispanic and interested in nursing as a profession. The survey gathered data from these students regarding their interest in nursing as a career and their perception of barriers for nursing school admission and retention. This initial investigation constitutes vital foundational research for developing a diverse nursing program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCAT).

Project Title: The Community Health Effects of High Incarceration Rates in Guilford County
PI: James C. Thomas, PhD
Institution: UNC-Chapel Hill

Synopsis: This study is examining racial disparities in rates of incarceration and rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at the neighborhood level within the NC County of Guilford. Data has been obtained from the NC Department of Corrections and the Guilford County Health Department and is being geocoded to the level of census block groups. Block group rates will be mapped and a regression analysis will quantify the relations between incarceration and STI rates. The results will be used write an NIH grant to study the effects of incarceration on neighborhood characteristics and health outcomes.