Native-Controlling Hypertension and Risk through Technology RP1: Chickasaw Healthy Eating Environments Research Study (Native-CHART RP1 / CHEERS)
Status: Current
Grant Start: 08/01/2016
Grant End: 02/28/2022
Diet-related chronic diseases, such as hypertension and obesity, are prevalent in Native American communities where poor food environments are prominent and healthy food access is limited. The Chickasaw Healthy Eating Environments Research Study (CHEERS), Research Project 1 of Native-Controlling Hypertension and Risk through Technology, is an NIH-funded study aimed to improve body mass index and blood pressure control among Native American adults with uncontrolled hypertension. This multi-level randomized trial, guided by a community-based participatory research orientation, was co-created by Tribal and university partners and is implemented within the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. In partnership with Feed the Children, we created hypertension-specific food boxes that contain Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet foods, coupons for purchasing vegetables and fruits, educational materials, and heart-healthy recipes for supporting healthy eating. Food boxes are packed and shipped monthly to intervention participants with a 30-day supply of one fruit serving/day, one vegetable serving/day, one serving of unsalted nuts or seeds/day, one serving of beans or lentils/day, and two servings of fatty fish/week. The study intervenes at the environmental level by improving healthy food access and at the policy level by assessing Tribal leaders’ readiness to implement CHEERS across the Tribal nation.
Partners
- Chickasaw Nation
- Oklahoma State University
Funding Sponsors
- Federal - National Institutes of Health
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Communities Involved
- Tribal communities
Study Type
- Randomized controlled trial
- Community based participatory research
Study Characteristics
- Ages 18 plus
IREACH Programs
Team Member(s)
-
Valarie Blue Bird Jernigan, DrPH, MPH
Project Lead -
Jessica Williams-Nguyen, PhD, MPH
Analyst -
Sara London, MEd
Analyst
Heath Research Initiatives
- American Indian and Alaska Native
Focus Areas
- Cardiovascular disease
- Health disparities
- Hypertension
- Nutrition
Associated Projects
- Native-Controlling Hypertension and Risk through Technology (Native-CHART)
- Native-Controlling Hypertension and Risk through Technology (Native-CHART) Administrative Core
- Native-Controlling Hypertension and Risk through Technology (Native-CHART) Consortium Core
- Native-Controlling Hypertension and Risk through Technology (Native-CHART) Dissemination Core
- Native-Controlling Hypertension and Risk through Technology (Native-CHART) Methodology Core
- Native-Controlling Hypertension and Risk through Technology RP2: Blood Pressure-Improving Control among Alaska Native People (Native-CHART RP2 / BP-ICAN)
- Native-Controlling Hypertension and Risk through Technology RP3: Engaging NHPIs and Activating Communities to Take Steps / Healthy Hearts Among Pacific Islanders (Native-CHART RP3 / ENACTS / HHAPI)