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Background: Favorable neighborhood-level social determinants of health (SDoH) are associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk. Less is known about their influence on cardioprotective behaviors. We evaluated the associations between neighborhood-level SDoH and cardioprotective behaviors among church members in Louisiana., Methods: Participants were surveyed between November 2021 to February 2022, and were asked about health behaviors, aspects of their neighborhood, and home address (to link to census tract and corresponding social deprivation index [SDI] data). Logistic regression models were used to assess the relation of neighborhood factors with the likelihood of engaging in cardioprotective behaviors: 1) a composite of healthy lifestyle behaviors [fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and a tobacco/nicotine-free lifestyle], 2) medication adherence, and 3) receipt of routine medical care within the past year., Results: Participants (n = 302, mean age: 63 years, 77% female, 99% Black) were recruited from 12 churches in New Orleans. After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, perceived neighborhood walkability or conduciveness to exercise (odds ratio [OR]=1.25; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.53), availability of fruits and vegetables (OR=1.23; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.42), and social cohesion (OR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.97) were positively associated with the composite of healthy lifestyle behaviors. After multivariable adjustment, SDI was in the direction of association with all three cardioprotective behavior outcomes, but associations were not statistically significant., Conclusions: In this predominantly Black, church-based population, neighborhood-level SDoH including the availability of fruits and vegetables, walkability or conduciveness to exercise, and social cohesion were associated with cardioprotective behaviors. Findings reiterate the need to address adverse neighborhood-level SDoH in the design and implementation of health interventions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The author has no financial or other conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Black communities bear a disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Barriers and facilitators for improving cardiovascular health (CVH) in churches with predominantly black congregations were explored through a qualitative needs assessment., Methods: Four focus groups with church members (n=21), 1 with wellness coordinators (n=5), and 1 with primary care providers (n=4) and 7 individual interviews with church leaders were completed in New Orleans and Bogalusa, Louisiana. Virtual, semistructured interviews and focus groups were held between October 2021 and April 2022. The Theorical Domains Framework (TDF) guided a framework analysis of transcribed data based on inductive and deductive coding to identify themes related to determinants of CVH., Results: The following four domains according to the TDF were identified as the most relevant for improving CVH: knowledge, professional role, environmental context, and emotions. Within these domains, barriers expressed by church leadership and members were a lack of knowledge of CVD, provider distrust, and little time and resources for lifestyle changes; facilitators included existing church wellness programs and social support, community resources, and willingness to improve patient-provider relationships. Primary care providers recognized a lack of effective communication and busy schedules as obstacles and the need to strengthen communication through increased patient autonomy and trust. Potential strategies to improve CVH informed by the Expert Recommendation for Implementing Change compilation of implementation strategies include education and training, task shifting, dissemination of information, culturally tailored counselling, and linkage to existing resources., Conclusions: These findings can inform the implementation of interventions for improving cardiovascular health and reducing disparities in black church communities., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: Authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and Black populations are disproportionately affected. Black populations also have high rates of religiosity, which may be an important health motivator, but mechanisms are unclear., Objective: We examined the relationship between perceived religious influence on health and cardiovascular health behaviors, risk factors, and confidence participating in medical care in Black church congregants., Methods: We surveyed 302 members of 13 churches with predominantly Black congregations in New Orleans, Louisiana. Participants reported if religious beliefs had an influence on their health and if they avoided harmful behaviors because of religion. Fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, smoking status, confidence asking questions to health care providers, understanding treatment plans and self-reported hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes were assessed. Logistic regression was used adjusting for age, sex, and education., Results: Survey respondents were 77% female with a median age of 66 years, and 72%, 56%, and 37% reported hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes, respectively. Perceived religious influence on health was positively associated with fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, and confidence asking questions to health care providers. Avoiding harmful behaviors because of religion was positively associated with physical activity. There was no association between perceived religious influence on health and smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or diabetes., Conclusion: Perceived religious influence on health was associated with beneficial cardiovascular health behaviors and confidence participating in medical care. These findings can inform the design and delivery of interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease among Black religious communities., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: No conflicts of interest reported by authors