Promoting brain health for African Americans: evaluating the healthy brain initiative, a community-level demonstration project.
BACKGROUND
African Americans are at significantly greater risk than non-Hispanic Whites or Hispanics for cognitive impairment. This study presents an evaluation of the Alzheimer's Association's Healthy Brain Initiative, a culturally tailored community-level intervention to increase knowledge and awareness of brain health among African American baby boomers.


METHODS
The evaluation used a mixed-method design with data collection before, during, and after intervention implementation.


RESULTS
The intervention was implemented with fidelity to model design by Alzheimer's Association chapters. Partnerships between chapters and community organizations to increase awareness of brain health among African American baby boomers were facilitated. Community members who participated in intervention workshops demonstrated increased knowledge, awareness, and intentions to engage in recommended health-protective behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
A community-level intervention can increase knowledge and awareness of brain health among African American baby boomers. In addition, such interventions can motivate participants' intentions to engage in health-protective behaviors to maintain overall health and brain health.
Mission Programs, Community Health Services at the American Lung Association in Chicago, IL, USA.
Felicia T
FT
Fuller
Ashani
A
Johnson-Turbes
Mary Ann K
MA
Hall
Thearis A
TA
Osuji
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003153:Community Health Services; D005845:Georgia; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation