# Healthy Together: A self-management and support intervention for low-income African American men with multiple chronic conditions

> **NIH NIH R15** · KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $79,044

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: Despite much research in chronic disease self-
management, significant gaps in knowledge still exist, especially regarding vulnerable and
underserved populations. More specifically, low-income African American men are
disproportionately affected by chronic conditions, especially coping with multiple morbidities.
Low-income African American men also experience additional burdens to health related to
stigma, discrimination, cultural beliefs and practices about health, knowledge and perceptions
regarding chronic conditions, and lack of support systems, creating even greater health
inequalities. The critical intersections of socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality,
and multiple diagnoses strongly influence effective self-management skills and access to
support systems. Moreover, the current COVID-19 situation has added additional complexities,
creating bigger gaps in health equity. The specific aims for this administrative supplement to
Healthy Together: A Self-Management and Support Intervention for Low-Income African
American Men with Multiple Chronic Conditions” include: AIM 1: Incorporate critical issues
related to COVID-19 into the existing chronic disease self-management intervention focusing on
low-income African American men. AIM 2: Conduct qualitative interviews with 48-60 African
American men who are living with chronic conditions, including HIV, diabetes, hypertension,
hypercholesterolemia, asthma, arthritis, and mental illness, and participate in the Healthy
Together intervention about their experiences with COVID-19. AIM 3: Based on Aim 2, develop
and implement a survey regarding the needs and challenges of managing health and illness
(both physical and mental) during COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to carefully examine
the implications of COVID-19 on this population, specifically focusing on the needs of African
American men within a chronic disease self-management program, including both chronic
physical and mental conditions, as well as those who care for them. This innovative study
engages the research participants through community based participatory research to address
the complexities of related to effectively managing their chronic diseases among African
American men, particularly in a post-COVID-19 world. This will advance the science needed to
achieve the clinically important outcomes such as minimizing disability, optimizing function, and
living well among all patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10398396
- **Project number:** 3R15AG059210-01A1S3
- **Recipient organization:** KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Evelina Sterling
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $79,044
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-02-01 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10398396

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10398396, Healthy Together: A self-management and support intervention for low-income African American men with multiple chronic conditions (3R15AG059210-01A1S3). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10398396. Licensed CC0.

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