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The implications for health interventions of socioeconomic diversity among African Americans is not well-studied. Our one-arm community-based participatory research study was designed to improve blood sugar among African Americans with Type 2 diabetes through a six-month intervention combining peer support groups and professional individual coaching in a small Southern county with large, socioeconomically diverse African American population. Study participants were recruited through churches and other community sites from 2009-2012. Clinical status was measured and surveys administered at intervention beginning and end. Retention was operationalized as completion of six-month measurement. Bivariate associations between categorical variables were assessed using Pearson's chi-square and between categorical and continuous variables using independent t-tests of means. Multiple logistic regression was conducted for retention and multiple linear regression for change in HbA1c (p<.05). We enrolled a large, socioeconomically diverse African- American population (n=380) and, retention was high (85%). However, those who left the study were more likely than those retained to be uninsured (52.4% vs. 28.7%) and less likely to have education beyond high school (45.3% vs. 63.3%); their average household income per person was lower ($10,942 vs. $20,731). Multivariate analysis showed that this association between socioeconomic status and retention was mediated by higher baseline blood sugar and diabetes burden among those of lower socioeconomic status. Higher baseline blood sugar, but not SES, was associated with greater improvements in diabetes control. These findings indicate the importance of analyses that address socioeconomic status within racial groups as a determinant of participation in and outcomes from health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The CTSA Community Engagement Consultative Service (CECS) is a national partnership designed to improve community engaged research (CEnR) through expert consultation. This report assesses the feasibility of CECS and presents findings from 2008 to 2009. Methodology A coordinating center and five regional coordinating sites managed the service. CTSAs identified a primary previsit CE best practice for consultants to address and completed self-assessments, postvisit evaluations, and action plans. Feasibility was assessed as the percent of CTSAs participating and completing evaluations. Frequencies were calculated for evaluation responses. Results Of the 38 CTSAs, 36 (95%) completed a self-assessment. Of these 36 sites, 83%, 53%, and 44% completed a consultant visit, evaluation, and action plan, respectively, and 56% of the consultants completed an evaluation. The most common best practice identified previsit was improvement in CEnR (addressing outcomes that matter); however, relationship building with communities was most commonly addressed during consulting visits. Although 90% of the consultants were very confident sites could develop an action plan, only 35% were very confident in the CTSAs' abilities to implement one. Conclusions Academic medical centers interested in collaborating with communities and translating research to improve health need to further develop their capacity for CE and CEnR within their institutions. Clin Trans Sci 2013; Volume 6: 34-39 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The CTSA Community Engagement Consultative Service (CECS) is a national partnership designed to improve community engaged research (CEnR) through expert consultation. This report assesses the feasibility of CECS and presents findings from 2008 to 2009., Methodology: A coordinating center and five regional coordinating sites managed the service. CTSAs identified a primary previsit CE best practice for consultants to address and completed self-assessments, postvisit evaluations, and action plans. Feasibility was assessed as the percent of CTSAs participating and completing evaluations. Frequencies were calculated for evaluation responses., Results: Of the 38 CTSAs, 36 (95%) completed a self-assessment. Of these 36 sites, 83%, 53%, and 44% completed a consultant visit, evaluation, and action plan, respectively, and 56% of the consultants completed an evaluation. The most common best practice identified previsit was improvement in CEnR (addressing outcomes that matter); however, relationship building with communities was most commonly addressed during consulting visits. Although 90% of the consultants were very confident sites could develop an action plan, only 35% were very confident in the CTSAs' abilities to implement one., Conclusions: Academic medical centers interested in collaborating with communities and translating research to improve health need to further develop their capacity for CE and CEnR within their institutions., (© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)