Effects of integrated risk counseling for cancer and cardiovascular disease in African Americans.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated a risk counseling intervention designed to enhance understanding about risk factors for cancer and cardiovascular disease, to improve self-efficacy for diet and physical activity, and to increase intentions to eat healthier and be physically active.


METHODS
We conducted a quasi-experimental study developed by academic investigators and community stakeholders to evaluate the effects of integrated risk counseling in a community-based sample of African American adults (n = 101). The intervention provided education about the overlap in risk factors for cancer and cardiovascular disease and included components from motivational interviewing.


RESULTS
Changes in behavioral intentions were not statistically significant (p > .05). Participants reported significantly greater levels of self-efficacy for diet (t = 2.25, p = .03) and physical activity (t = 2.55, p = .01), and significantly increased perceived risks of developing colon cancer (chi2 = 3.86, p = .05) and having a heart attack (chi2 = 4.50, p = .03).


CONCLUSIONS
Integrated risk counseling may have some benefits among African Americans.
Halbert
Chanita Hughes
CH
Center for Community-Based Research and Health Disparities, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia USA. chanita@mail.med.upenn.edu
Bellamy
Scarlett
S
Bowman
Marjorie
M
Briggs
Vanessa
V
Delmoor
Ernestine
E
Purnell
Joseph
J
Rogers
Rodney
R
Weathers
Benita
B
Kumanyika
Shiriki
S
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult