Church-based social support to boost physical activity for older African American adults
The USC PRC: Community-Based Participatory Research to Study Church Implementation of an Evidence-Based Social Support Intervention to Increase Physical Activity among Older African American Adults
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA · NIH-11136820
This program works with Black churches to bring social-support activities that help older African American adults become more physically active.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11136820 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would join a community effort led by the university and local churches to use a proven social-support program that encourages older adults to be active. A community advisory board and church partners help design and adapt the program so it fits church life and participants' needs. The project trains local staff, watches how churches deliver the program, and finds ways to spread the program to more congregations. Results and practical tools will be shared so other communities can use the same approach.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are older African American adults who attend or are connected to participating churches and are interested in increasing physical activity.
Not a fit: People who are not church-affiliated, are much younger than the target group, or whose health prevents participation in physical activity are unlikely to benefit directly from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help older Black adults increase activity, lower chronic disease risks, and improve quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous church-based and social-support interventions have shown promise for increasing activity among older Black adults, though real-world church implementation has varied and needs refinement.
Where this research is happening
COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA — COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WILCOX, SARA — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA
- Study coordinator: WILCOX, SARA
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.