Abstract Details

Title Beliefs and Behaviors Shaping Community Engagement in Preventative Care for Brain and Heart Disease: A Qualitative Focus Group Study

Topic Global Health and Neuroepidemiology

Presentation(s) P5 - Poster Session 5 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 20-005

Objective This study aimed to identify beliefs and behaviors that influence engagement in preventative care for brain and heart disease within an urban community.

Background Despite advances in diagnostics and preventative care, the increasing prevalence of brain and heart diseases suggests an opportunity for tailored, community-co-created interventions. Qualitative methodology provides a nuanced understanding of community perceptions of brain and heart health that impact their engagement in preventative care strategies.

Design/Methods Residents of a small, diverse, and under-resourced town (population ~13,000; 40% people of color; 50% of households cost-burdened, spending at least 30% of income on housing) participated in eight in-person and virtual focus groups (N=48). The cohort was racially and ethnically diverse with 42% Hispanic and 19% Black participants and had a median age of 58. A semi-structured interview guide was adapted from the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed (by 3 independent coders) using the Framework Method.

Results Disease knowledge was a main facilitator that shaped health beliefs and behaviors. Participants were more familiar with the sudden onset and severity associated with a heart attack, which influenced engaging in preventative heart health strategies. In contrast, brain diseases were perceived to cause gradual decline in function. Significant barriers to engaging in preventative care include long clinic wait times, lack of care continuity, high costs, and transportation challenges. Despite these barriers, residents expressed enthusiasm for a community-based health prevention program, emphasizing the importance of trust, convenience, and clear communication for its success.

Conclusions Disease knowledge shaped health beliefs and behavior, with heart conditions viewed as a more immediate concern than the perceived gradual progression of brain conditions. While participants supported local prevention efforts, their feedback highlights that future programs must address systemic barriers and be built on the foundations of trust, accessibility, and clear communication to effectively promote preventative care engagement.

Authors/Disclosures
Samuel G. Namian PRESENTER	Mr. Namian has nothing to disclose.
Christian Beaulieu, PhD	Dr. Beaulieu has nothing to disclose.
Lucinda I. Ames	Ms. Ames has nothing to disclose.
Sofia Constantinescu, BS	Ms. Constantinescu has nothing to disclose.
Susan A. Goncalves, DNP	Dr. Goncalves has nothing to disclose.
Walter N. Kernan, MD (Yale Medical School)	Dr. Kernan has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for various law firms.
Rachel Kitagawa (Yale School of Medicine)	Ms. Kitagawa has nothing to disclose.
Sonia E. Lopez, Research Study Coordinator	Miss Lopez has nothing to disclose.
Jackson Namian	Mr. Namian has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Postgraduate Clinical Research Associate with Yale School of Medicine. Mr. Namian has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Laboratory Research Assistant with Geisel School of Medicine.
Jonathan Rosand, MD (Massachusetts General Hospital)	Dr. Rosand has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Rosand has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Eli Lilly and Co. Dr. Rosand has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Elsevier. The institution of Dr. Rosand has received research support from NIH. The institution of Dr. Rosand has received research support from American Heart Association. Dr. Rosand has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Peer reviewer with National Institutes of Health. Dr. Rosand has a non-compensated relationship as a Trustee with Columbia University that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.
Kevin N. Sheth, MD, FAAN (Yale UniversityDivision of Neuro and Critical Care)	Dr. Sheth has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Ceribell. Dr. Sheth has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Zoll. Dr. Sheth has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for NControl. Dr. Sheth has received stock or an ownership interest from Astrocyte. Dr. Sheth has received stock or an ownership interest from Alva. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Biogen. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Novartis. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Bard. The institution of Dr. Sheth has received research support from Hyperfine. Dr. Sheth has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
Sofia Soriano, BS	Miss Soriano has nothing to disclose.
Nandita Srikumar	Miss SRIKUMAR has nothing to disclose.
Nirupama Yechoor, MD (MassGeneral Brigham)	Dr. Yechoor has nothing to disclose.
Rachel Forman, MD (Yale Neurology)	Dr. Forman has nothing to disclose.

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