Participants of both programs - RiSE and Health Education Program (HEP) - will meet weekly for 8 consecutive weeks for approximately 2 hours every week. Two booster sessions will occur one month and two months after completion of the interventions. Classes will meet synchronously over Zoom. RiSE classes will be facilitated by two trained clinical psychologists. Expert speakers will be hired to provide the HEP classes (e.g dietician, pharmacist). The investigators will vary the time of day for each 8- week program in order to meet the scheduling needs of participants. Cohorts of 9-12 participants each and sessions for the treatment and control group will be provided concurrently. Topics for the health education program (HEP) (attention-control) were selected so they would not confound the overall objectives of the RiSE program.
Age
50–75
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
You may be eligible if
Between the ages of 50 and 75
Female
Post-menopausal (without menstrual period for at least 12 consecutive months)
Self-identified AA or Black
Able to write, read, speak English
Must have at least 1 of any of the following:
* Waist circumference \>88 cm
* Systolic BP\>130 mmHg and/ or diastolic BP\>88 mmHg or on antihypertensive medications
* Diagnosed and/or being treated for hypercholesterolemia
* History of Type 2 diabetes
You may not be if
History of myocardial infarction or ischemic heart disease/angina, stent placement, coronary artery bypass, left ventricular hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, or ischemic stroke
Any major immune-related disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis. lupus)
Use of immune-altering medications, such as glucocorticoids
Periodontal disease, bleeding gums, dental work in past 72 hours
Current smoker or has smoked in past 3 months
Active cancer
Active infection
Substance abuse
Cognitive or psychiatric disorder that would affect ability to participate in classes (Brief Screen for Cognitive Impairment total score of 8 or higher)
