WEAVE NM: Heart Health and Nutrition for Life

WEAVE NM (Wide Engagement for Assessing Vaccine Equity in New Mexico) is a community-based research initiative working to improve health outcomes in underserved populations, with a current focus on hypertension and food justice. The project centers on the lived experiences of Native American, African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American residents in Albuquerque's International District and South Valley. With guidance from community voices and ongoing collaboration with local organizations, health providers, and residents, the initiative integrates cultural values, public policy, and social realities into solutions that promote equity and wellness. As part of this work, a clinical trial is being conducted through First Nations Community HealthSource (FNCH) to evaluate a culturally tailored blood pressure intervention called Heart Health and Nutrition for Life (HHNL). The trial includes patients who receive standard hypertension care and blood pressure self-monitoring, with one group also participating in a community health worker-led educational program in their first six months of study enrollment. This curriculum addresses healthy eating, physical activity, medication adherence, stress reduction, and avoidance of alcohol and tobacco, all delivered with cultural sensitivity and community insight. After six months, the groups switch roles, allowing all participants to receive the education component. Participants' progress is measured over a 12-month period by tracking changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, blood sugar (HbA1c), and emotional well-being. The aim is to determine whether this community-supported approach improves outcomes more effectively than standard care alone with blood pressure self-monitoring. This study represents a broader effort to create long-term, community-rooted solutions to chronic health issues by addressing the social and environmental factors that influence well-being. For individuals living in the International District or South Valley, this project offers the opportunity to take part in research that respects cultural identity and prioritizes real-world impact on health. Interested patients and families can contact their provider at FNCH to learn more about participation.

HHNL is a two-arm, randomized, controlled trial with two study phases and an active control condition, enrolling 240 adults with hypertension from First Nations Community HealthSource (FNCH), including Native American, Latinx, African American, and Asian American participants. All receive education, blood pressure monitors, and study questionnaires. This clinical trial component is designed to evaluate whether a healthy lifestyle program led by community health workers-called Heart Health and Nutrition for Life (HHNL)-improves blood pressure control more effectively than standard care with blood pressure self-monitoring alone. The HHNL program includes blood pressure self-monitoring and culturally tailored education sessions. The trial is being conducted with patients receiving care at First Nations Community HealthSource (FNCH), a federally qualified health center serving a varying population in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives the HHNL education program in their first six months of study enrollment, along with FNCH's standard care and blood pressure self-monitoring. The other group receives standard care and blood pressure self-monitoring alone for the first six months, after which they receive the HHNL education program in their second six months of study enrollment. The goal is to compare outcomes over time and between groups to understand the added value of the HHNL program. The primary focus is on changes in systolic blood pressure over the first six months. Data will be collected at baseline, 3-4 months, and six months to track progress, with data at 3-4 months allowing early insights following the conclusion of the education sessions. In addition to systolic blood pressure, the study will also examine other health indicators, including diastolic blood pressure, lipid levels (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides), HbA1c, body mass index (BMI), and psychological distress. Researchers will also assess behavior-related factors such as medication adherence, blood pressure monitoring habits, physical activity, healthy eating, alcohol and tobacco use, and perceptions of health risks and benefits. These outcomes will be analyzed from baseline to six months, with a focus on comparing the two groups and understanding the immediate effects of the intervention. Over the full 12-month study period, the research team expects to see specific trends within each group. For those starting with the HHNL education program, improvements in health outcomes are anticipated in the first six months, with those gains maintained after transitioning to standard care with blood pressure self-monitoring alone. For participants who begin with standard care with blood pressure self-monitoring alone and later receive the HHNL educational sessions, improvements are expected primarily during the second half of the study. The trial is being developed and implemented with ongoing input from a Community Advisory Council to ensure cultural relevance, community alignment, and consistent guidance of the research process.