JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Everyday life has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing health disparities among underserved communities were exacerbated. Latinos and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) disproportionately experience disparities in health, even when compared to other minority populations. Both populations have heart disease, cancer, and diabetes as leading causes of death; and both Latinos and NHPIs have high rates of obesity. As we begin to recover from the pandemic, we must consider the intersection of continued health disparities, new social norms and attitudes, and new patterns of health behavior.

Objective:

The overarching goal of this project is to reduce health disparities among Latinos and Native NHPIs, considering new health behavior patterns, social norms, and increased technology use related to COVID-19. The research project specific aims are to: (1) conduct key informant interviews and focus groups among Latinos and NHPIs, (2) develop and implement a community health and health behavior survey, and (3) based on community feedback [from aims 1 and 2], co-design, develop and test new technology, in collaboration with the CSUSM Innovation Hub, that is meaningful and responsive to community needs and preferences. Additionally, with commitment to training students underrepresented in biomedical research, we were purposeful in outlining research capacity specific aims. They are, to: (1) enhance the research capacity of students underrepresented in biomedical research, especially towards training future independent health disparity researchers and scholars, and (2) enhance the research capacity, sustainability, and excellence of CSUSM through meaningful collaborations between the principal investigator and the CSUSM National Latino research Center, Innovation Hub and other campus collaborators, consultants, and community partners.

Methods:

Using a Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) and mixed-methods approach, the interdisciplinary research team will develop new technology based on community insights (key informant interviews, focus groups, and a community health survey). We expect the new technology to be focused on mHealth smartphones applications. Components will likely include strategies to improve obesity-related health behaviors and mental health.

Results:

This study received funding from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences in April 2022 as part of the Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Program (R16). Key informant interviews and focus groups were completed by July 2023. Community health surveys were completed by August 2024. Development of the Beta mHealth app began in September 2024 in partnership with CSUSM computer science students. Beta testing and evaluation is expected to be completed by December 2025.

Conclusions:

A major strength of this study is that it works with the communities of intended impact to directly inform new innovations to promote health behaviors. This study sets the foundation for a series of research grants in a purposeful, progressive sequence (i.e., R16[current], STTR, R21, R01). This work is also guided by a community advisory board and in collaboration with the CSUSM National Latino Research Center. This study includes unique partnerships and an interdisciplinary team of researchers, students, community members, and consultants/collaborators to inform practices that can impact Latino and NHPI health disparities with technology and strategies that are innovative and effective.