# Reducing Cardiovascular Risk in Perimenopausal Latinas: Pilot Study of a Multi-Component Intervention

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2022 · $132,702

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death among women. Risk of CVD increases
substantially during perimenopause, the critical window of 6-8 years before a woman’s final menstrual period.
Increasing evidence suggests that Latinas have a significantly worse CVD risk factor profile than non-Hispanic
women, which can be attributed to multiple sociocultural and environmental factors (e.g., lower socioeconomic
position, discrimination, stress). These factors are related to CVD through their influence on health behaviors,
as well as potential mechanisms involving inflammatory and neuroendocrine pathways. Although behavioral
intervention research targeting CVD risk during perimenopause emerged over the past decade, no studies
were designed to intervene on behavioral influences to decrease biological CVD risk among perimenopausal
Latinas. Using the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Framework, we will
address the sociocultural and built environments and intervene on behavioral influences to decrease biologic
CVD risk among perimenopausal Latinas. The aim of this investigation is to examine feasibility and initial
efficacy of a behavioral intervention led by community health workers to a) decrease the primary outcomes of
biologic CVD risk factors (blood pressure [BP], arterial stiffness, lipids, blood glucose); b) improve secondary
outcomes (health behaviors: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, coping strategies) and other biological factors
(adiposity, inflammatory and stress biomarkers, vasomotor symptoms) from baseline to 6- and 12-month
follow-up. We will recruit participants from two community groups: one group will be randomly assigned to
complete the intervention; the other will be a wait-list control. This intervention has 3 phases: 12 weekly
sessions (Phase I: education, physical activity, stress management, coping skills training) followed by 3
monthly sessions of continued support (Phase II); and finally 6 months of skill maintenance on their own
(Phase III). The long-term goal of this award is to develop Dr. Cortés’ independence as an investigator, leading
a program of research dedicated to improving women’s cardiovascular health, and to implement interventions
for prevention and self-management of CVD in perimenopausal women, particularly Latinas. The proposed
K23 will support her development through mentorship and training in: 1) community-engaged research; 2)
clinical trial design, implementation, and evaluation; 3) the effect of behavioral interventions on biologic
outcomes; and 4) professional development skills in leadership, publication, and grantsmanship. To
accomplish her research aims and training goals, Dr. Cortés has assembled an interdisciplinary team of
scientists with expertise in community engagement, intervention design, clinical trial analysis, sociocultural and
biological measures, and career development mentorship. This research holds potenti...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10438765
- **Project number:** 5K23MD014767-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Yamnia I Cortes
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $132,702
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-26 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10438765

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10438765, Reducing Cardiovascular Risk in Perimenopausal Latinas: Pilot Study of a Multi-Component Intervention (5K23MD014767-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10438765. Licensed CC0.

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