SBP, body weight, waist circumference, dietary energy and total fat, sodium intake
Spiritually based, behavior modification, program or self-help behavior modification
Intervention group improved: SBP (−1.6 mm Hg), weight loss (−1.1 lbs), waist circumference (−0.66 inches), dietary energy (−177 kcal), dietary total fat (−8 g), sodium intake (−145 mg) No change in self-help group
Baltimore Church High Blood Pressure Program (CHBPP) [54, 55], 184 AA and 3 white women from black churches in Baltimore, MD
Randomized into those taking anti-hypertensive’s than those without −8 wk counseling and exercising session −2 years
BP and body weight
Church-based weight loss program for blood pressure control among black women: eight weekly 2-h diet counseling/exercise sessions.
Final SBP was <140 mm Hg for 74% of participants, versus 52% initially. Final DBP was <90 mm Hg in 92% versus 65% initially Mean weight loss was 6 lb in both groups: −18 to +7 lb in the Rx group and −31 to +3 lb in the no Rx group
Church-based education [56]. An outreach program for African Americans with hypertension from AA churches
Outreach demonstration study
Knowledge, social support and BP
Registered nurses (RNs) were trained as church health educators The intervention’s content included the bases of HTN and HTN management strategies, and was taught in eight 1-hr sessions.
Significant increase in knowledge scores from pre to post1 and post2. Education, age and number of years with high BP explained 49% of the variance associated with high BP knowledge. SBP/DBP and mean arterial BP significantly decreased from pre to post1 and post2 relationships were found between social support and DBP, and social support and mean arterial BP
Lighten Up: a church-based lifestyle program [57, 58], 66% AA and 83% women
Partnership with christian church communities
BP and weight church counselors with experts were interventionists.
Total 10 wks-8 educational sessions, combining study of scripture and health messages, followup at 10 weeks and 1-yr.
Significant reductions in BP and weight (at 10 wks), which sustained throughout the year. 70% participants attended 50% or more sessions. Whites had greater reductions in risk factors than did AA
Church-based Cholesterol Education Program [70, 71] from six churches with predominantly black members
Randomization at church level −6 months
Cholesterol and BP reduction
6-week nutrition education class of 1 hour each week about techniques to lower blood cholesterol and BP. Information about cholesterol was also mailed to them. Church members selected as educationalists
Significant difference in the mean SBP was seen; SD for education group and SD for usual care group () Education group had 23.4 mg per dl decrease in the mean cholesterol level
