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Purpose: This study compared a novel self-management (TargetEd MAnageMent Intervention [TEAM]) versus treatment as usual (TAU) to reduce stroke risk in African American (AA) men., Design: Six-month prospective randomized controlled trial with outcomes evaluated at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months., Setting: Academic health center., Participants: Thirty-eight (age < 65) AA men who had a stroke or transient ischemic attack and a Barthel index score of >60 were randomly assigned to TEAM (n = 19) or TAU (n = 19)., Intervention: Self-management training, delivered in 1 individual and 4 group sessions (over 3 months)., Measures: Blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ), lipids, medication adherence, weight, and standardized measures of health behaviors (diet, exercise, smoking, substances), depression, and quality of life. Qualitative assessments evaluated the perspectives of TEAM participants., Analysis: T tests for paired differences and nonparametric tests. Thematic content qualitative analysis., Results: Mean age was 52.1 (standard deviation [SD] = 7.4) and mean body mass index was 31.4 (SD = 7.4). Compared to TAU, TEAM participants had significantly lower mean systolic blood pressure by 24 weeks, and there was also improvement in HbA 1c and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P = .03). Other biomarker and health behaviors were similar between groups. Qualitative results suggested improved awareness of risk factors as well as positive effects of group support.

Background: The burden of stroke is severe among African-Americans. Despite overall declines in the rate of stroke since 2000, outcomes are largely unimproved or have worsened for African-American men. Adverse psychosocial challenges may hinder adherence to a regimen of risk factor reduction., Methods and Results: Focus group analysis was combined with a review of current published guidelines and epidemiologic evidence on risk factors to better understand stroke health disparities and potential policy solutions. Transcripts from three focus groups with ten African-American male stroke survivors under age 65 and their care partners (N = 7) were analyzed and compared with existing published data on (a) the burden of stroke (b) trends in clinical risk factors, and (c) trends in behavioral risk factors. Participants described myriad psychosocial barriers that impede reduction of risk indicators, including low trust in providers, poor social support, access difficulties, depression, and distress., Conclusions: In order to be effective, policies and programs must target mechanisms consistent with the challenges faced by African-American men. Infrastructure is needed to better identify and share practices effective for improving cardiovascular outcomes within specific racial and ethnic groups.

Objective: To assess perceived facilitators and recommendations for stroke recovery and prevention among younger African-American (AA) men (age < 65 years) in order to inform the development and pilot testing of an intervention for this high-risk group., Methods: Focus group methodology was used to collect data from 10 community-dwelling AA stroke survivors and seven of their care partners (CPs) (N = 17). Thematic analysis of session transcripts and the constant comparative method were used to generate themes., Results: Participants cited facilitators to post-stroke care and recovery as Family Support, Stress Reduction, and Dietary Changes. Specific person-level recommendations for AA men included following established stroke guidelines, use of complementary and alternative medicine, and never give up recovery efforts. Community-level recommendations included making a list of community resources available, providing support and education to care partners, using videos that feature AA men to deliver information and use AA men stroke survivors to help disseminate the information. Provider and health system recommendations included consolidation of medical bills, improving provider communication skills, and making providers aware of needs specific to AA men and their families., Conclusions: While AA men and their CPs acknowledged and welcomed learning more about the American Health Association Stroke Prevention Guidelines, it is clear that they desired approaches that addressed their specific needs and preferences as young AA men who sometimes felt de-valued by their community and care providers. Specific person, community and care-system level approaches that are of perceived value to AA men offer potential to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities.

Background: African Americans (AAs) who experience a first time stroke are younger and have double the stroke rate and more poststroke complications than other Americans., Objective: To assess perceived poststroke care barriers among younger AA men and their care partners (CPs) in order to inform the development of acceptable and effective improvements in poststroke care for this high-risk group., Methods: Ten community-dwelling AA stroke survivors and 7 of their CPs participated in focus groups and advisory board meetings. Survivors had stroke or transient ischemic attack within 1 year and a Barthel Index score ≯60. In focus groups, using a semi-structured interview guide, survivors and CPs identified self-perceived barriers and facilitators to poststroke care. Thematic analysis of session transcripts and the constant comparative method were used to generate themes., Results: Survivor age ranged from 34 to 64 years. Mean Barthel score was 95.5. CPs, all AA women, ranged in age from 49 to 61 years. Five CPs were wives, 1 was a fiancée, and 1 was a niece. Participants cited multiple personal, social, and societal stroke recovery challenges. Although hypertension and smoking risks were acknowledged, stress, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anger/frustration, personal identity change, and difficulty communicating unique needs as AA men were more frequently noted. Facilitators included family support, stress reduction, and dietary changes., Conclusions: Younger AA men and their CPs perceive multiple poststroke care barriers. Biological risk reduction education may not capture all salient aspects of health management for AA stroke survivors. Leveraging family and community strengths, addressing psychological health, and directly engaging patients with health care teams may improve care management.

The article evaluates how younger African-American (AA) men less than 65 years old perceive facilitators and recommendations for stroke prevention and recovery in order to help develop health interventions for this high risk group. Focus group methodology was used to generate themes from 10 community dwelling AA stroke survivors. Findings showed that these men who sometimes felt devalued by their communities and care providers desired approaches that address their specific needs as AA men.