Clinical Trials

Overview

About this study

The objectives of this study are to test the feasibility and effectiveness of community-based hypertension screening and education via a randomized controlled trial using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach, to test the effectiveness of training Halal staff and Somali leaders to educate community members regarding culturally appropriate dietary recommendations and other lifestyle interventions for hypertension, to build research capacity within the Greater Mankato Health Equity Partnership (GMHEP) members to engage in community-based research projects.

Minnesota has the largest and longest-standing population of Somali immigrants and refugees in the U.S., and studies have shown an increasing risk of hypertension with each year of resettlement. This is particularly troublesome, as nationwide trends reveal extreme racial disparities in hypertension prevalence and control.  Although Non-Hispanic Blacks have significantly higher rates of hypertension compared to Non-Hispanic whites, hypertension control rates are significantly lower than Non-Hispanic Blacks. This racial disparity has been attributed to a variety of causes, from lack of insurance to medication adherence, but fundamentally it is the cumulative effect of years of systemic inequities and racial bias, whose downstream effects are substantial.  A lack of trust on the part of people of color, combined with an intrinsic bias of the healthcare system to provide optimal care, necessitates a shift towards community-based interventions.  Our intervention seeks to improve the local Somali community’s understanding of hypertension and build capacity within the community to identify, manage and prevent the disease.  We will utilize a multifaceted, community-based approach.  First, we will test the effectiveness of community-based hypertension screening and education to improve hypertension diagnosis and self-management.  This phase will involve culturally appropriate hypertension education to the trusted Somali leaders at the Mosque and Halal stores as well as community health worker (CHW) referral if hypertension is present.  If warranted, the CHW will provide referral to a healthcare team champion who has completed cultural competency training provided by the CHWs.  Finally, to ensure that the Somali community is included in future research studies, we will build capacity of Somali leaders to conduct, analyze and interpret research findings. Building self-efficacy will break down the systemic barriers to health by putting the knowledge, power, and tools into the hands of the Somali individuals and community. 

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

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