Health equity in action: using community-engaged research to update an intervention promoting a healthy home food environment to Black/African American families

Cancer Causes Control. 2024 Feb;35(2):311-321. doi: 10.1007/s10552-023-01753-4. Epub 2023 Sep 22.

Abstract

Purpose: Describe the method for conducting community-engaged research to identify needed changes for an existing evidence-based intervention, and prepare it for implementation in a community setting within the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center catchment area in an effort to achieve more equitable outcomes in diet-related disease risk factors.

Methods: The intervention, Family Eats, was developed over 10 years ago. It works directly with parents of Black/African American 9-12 year old children to create a healthy home food environment to support prevention of obesity and related cancers. Data collection with community stakeholders occurred through a series of Community Advisory Board (CAB) meetings guided by the Delphi Technique, an iterative approach for gaining group consensus on a topic.

Results: Key information on needed changes and potential implementation strategies were identified. Perceived level of engagement among CAB members was high overall and in terms of both quantity and quality.

Conclusion: The Delphi Technique shows promise as a method for conducting community-engaged research that promotes engagement and identifies key information needed to adapt and implement an existing intervention in a community setting.

Keywords: Behavioral interventions; Cancer prevention; Childhood obesity; Community outreach and engagement; Health equity.

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American*
  • Child
  • Community-Based Participatory Research
  • Diet*
  • Health Equity*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Parents
  • Pediatric Obesity / prevention & control