KDH Research & Communication, Inc.

In collaboration with ProVention Health Foundation, KDHRC recently published a research brief on the Health and Lifestyle Training (HALT) program that increases accessibility to quality prediabetes and diabetes prevention information using a fully remote, asynchronous approach that reduces barriers to participation. In the United States, around thirty-six million people are predicted to meet the criteria for prediabetes by 2045. High quality resources to support individuals who have been diagnosed with or are at risk of developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes are available through the 12-month National Diabetes Prevention Program. However, the program is mainly offered in person, so people with caregiving duties, in rural communities, or without a mode of transportation will have trouble accessing the program. Therefore, a new solution that removes barriers is greatly needed. HALT provides weekly education video content, food tracking with an assigned health coach, ways to interact with other HALT users, and different methods to track physical activity. In 2023, KDHRC developed and evaluated a market survey for users and advocates of the HALT program to better understand user experience and overall satisfaction. Positive responses to the HALT platform from survey respondents speak highly of the effectiveness of the program and create a foundation to expand adoption across the country. Read the full brief at the link below:

KDHRC is seeking teen input on our new research study: Personalized Approach To Habits – Sleep (PATH-S) app. PATH-S will encourage Black teens with asthma to adopt habits to improve their sleep. Teens with asthma will receive an incentive for participating in the Zoom user test session. Parents, if your teen is interested in participating in this study, please first complete the screener on the flyer to get started. If you have any questions, please contact Project Director Morgan Fleming at?[email protected].

So excited to share these awesome findings on the effectiveness of the Real Cost campaign. The KDHRC team has worked with many others on this campaign for nearly 10 years -- the impact of our work on teens is real and important!

We’re excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Guardians Receiving Information through Navigators (GRIN), our online professional development course designed to prepare community health workers (CHWs) to provide oral health outreach to low-income Black parents and guardians.? Seeing this vision come to life during filming was both inspiring and motivating, reminding us of the lasting impact these lessons will have on the health and well-being of families reached by GRIN-trained CHWs.? We can’t wait to share this resource and help CHWs make a meaningful difference. Stay tuned for more updates as we roll out the GRIN program!??

At KDHRC, we’ve made sure to get our flu vaccinations this season, but several of our employees have still been affected by the flu. We’re relieved to report that they’re feeling better after taking the necessary steps for recovery. The CDC strongly recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive an annual flu shot, as it remains one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of illness and prevent the spread of the flu in our communities. ?? In addition to getting vaccinated, it’s important to wash your hands frequently, wear masks in crowded places, and stay home if you’re feeling unwell. By looking out for ourselves and each other, we can work together to create a safer environment for everyone.? Let’s stay healthy and keep our communities protected during this challenging flu season!??

Exciting news! In collaboration with the American College of Rheumatology, UNC-Chapel Hill, and the University of Rochester, KDHRC published findings from the OMH-funded TIMELY program in Arthritis Care & Research. This study shows how TIMELY successfully improved provider and CHW knowledge, confidence, and referral intentions for minority participation in lupus clinical trials.? These results highlight the power of education and collaboration in making clinical research more inclusive. Read the full publication below:

KDHRC is proud to partner with Alelo in creating a groundbreaking conversational artificial intelligence (AI) avatar to train community health workers (CHWs) through the Monitoring and Outreach for Maternal Safety (MOMS) Postpartum course. MOMS equips CHWs to support postpartum minority women, bridging healthcare gaps, and addressing maternal health disparities.? Using Alelo’s AI-powered Enskill platform, CHWs in the MOMs program engage in realistic conversations with a simulated postpartum patient, building essential outreach and communication skills like recognizing postpartum depression, overcoming care barriers, and knowing when to refer to professionals. Dexter L. Cooper, KDHRC Project Manager for the MOMS Postpartum course, praised the platform’s effectiveness, ease of use, and valuable feedback features.? We believe that this innovative approach will empower CHWs to provide compassionate, culturally tailored care to minority mothers, helping to reduce maternal health disparities and improve outcomes for mothers and their families. Stay tuned for more updates on this impactful collaboration!

This past year, KDHRC published a wide range of Informing Public Health research briefs, sharing insights on key issues that impact our communities, such as youth vaping trends, challenges faced by caregivers, and the potential roles of artificial intelligence in patient advocacy.?? ? Below is a list of our 2024 research briefs. Check out the full collection on our website and stay tuned for new research briefs coming out this year:???