This Heart Study Was Made by Black Doctors Just for Black Patients
蜜桃传媒's Dr. Elizabeth Ofili discusses a crucial research project addressing cardiovascular health disparities in the Black American community.
By Taylyn Harmon, BlackDoctor.org
In order to create better drugs for Black Americans, participation in clinical trials and studies is crucial. In a recent Patient Pulse interview, Dr. Thomas Nero, an interventional cardiologist, discussed the innovative with lead researchers Dr. Elizabeth Ofili and Iyanna Liburd, shedding light on this crucial research project addressing cardiovascular health disparities in the Black American community.
Dr. Ofili, a cardiologist from 蜜桃传媒 School of Medicine and the study's global principal investigator, explained the study鈥檚 focus: 鈥淭he African American Heart Study was designed to address a gap in our understanding of how high cholesterol and specifically high lipoprotein, little a as we call it, which is Lp(a), affects the risk for heart disease, especially in Black people.鈥� She added, 鈥淲hat we do know is that the levels are higher in Black patients, and that鈥檚 across all dimensions, whether you鈥檙e Black African, Black Haitian, or Black American.鈥�
The study鈥檚 significance lies in addressing the disproportionately higher rates of heart disease among Black Americans. Dr. Ofili noted, 鈥淲e do know that Black people in general have higher rates of heart disease even for the same levels of cholesterol. And the same is true combinations of blood pressure and diabetes.鈥�
Describing the study design, Dr. Ofili said, 鈥淲e have 35 sites, that鈥檚 our target. We鈥檙e almost there, that are participating.鈥� She explained that participants either have had a cardiac event or are without such history, emphasizing, 鈥淭he study was designed specifically to make it easier for community-based practices to participate.鈥�
Iyanna Liburd, a clinical research fellow, shared her experiences in recruiting patients: 鈥淚 realized that a lot of African Americans are just still skeptical about doing research.鈥� She highlighted her approach: 鈥淢y strategy was being interpersonal, explaining stuff, and then also tell them that, 'Hey, this is actually a trial that鈥檚 meant directly for you.'鈥�
Dr. Ofili elaborated on the Health360x platform used in the study: 鈥淭he Health360x platform came out of 蜜桃传媒 School of Medicine, received a patent in 2012, and specifically [was created] to help patients with multiple chronic conditions self-monitor and manage their health.鈥� She emphasized its value during the COVID-19 pandemic: 鈥淲hen COVID came, the doctors asked us, 'Can we just use this to help with our patients?' And it really was very helpful.鈥�
A unique aspect of the study is its commitment to returning results to participants. Dr. Ofili explained, 鈥淲e built in a component into the study where patients can find out about their results鈥�. We insisted on that component because we thought it was really important that patients鈥� can still get value here with this new knowledge.鈥�
Addressing strategies for increasing Black American participation in medical research, Dr. Ofili stressed, 鈥淥ne of the things that we started to do early on is really meet people where they are.鈥� She added, 鈥淢aking it more convenient, giving them something of value to say, 'Yeah, we鈥檙e not just gonna study you. We鈥檙e gonna give you some information that hopefully helps you as you navigate your own health.'鈥�
Currently, there are no specific treatments for elevated Lp(a) levels. Dr. Ofili recommends patients 鈥渃ontrol every other risk factor because we still don鈥檛 have a drug, but we know that, you know, if you stop smoking, you鈥檙e exercising, you make sure your lipids are under control, it will bring down the risk.鈥�
Dr. Nero observed, 鈥淚 have a feeling that your results are going to be better than what we鈥檙e actually seeing in the real world because you鈥檙e going to be intervening in everyone鈥檚 care.鈥�
As the interview concluded, Dr. Ofili expressed her enthusiasm: 鈥淲e鈥檙e so excited that you鈥檙e part of this study. We look forward to your enrollment like you鈥檝e done in other studies. But I think more importantly, making a difference in people鈥檚 knowledge and understanding of cardiovascular risk in doing that from Day 1 as they鈥檙e participating.鈥�
Iyanna Liburd offered a simple encouragement to potential participants: 鈥淚t鈥檚 just simple. Just join the trial. It鈥檚 really beneficial to you.鈥�
The African American Heart Study represents a significant step forward in addressing cardiovascular health disparities, combining community engagement, advanced technology, and patient-centered research to improve cardiovascular outcomes in the Black American population.