# Improving Community-level Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Underserved Populations

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2023 · $173,879

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) depends on the prompt delivery of bystander
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (B-CPR), which is often administered by layperson community members until the
arrival of emergency medical services personnel. There is wide variability in both B-CPR participation rates and
survival of OHCA throughout the United States, particularly in neighborhoods of low socioeconomic status. Our
central hypothesis is that unique modifiable barriers to B-CPR participation exist in high-risk neighborhoods in
Birmingham, Alabama, which can be used to inform a targeted community B-CPR intervention to increase B-
CPR rates and ultimately improve OHCA survival. We will test our hypothesis through the following specific aims:
In Aim 1 we will utilize geospatial mapping of local cardiac arrest and census tract data to identify and
characterize high-risk OHCA neighborhoods in Birmingham, AL. For our study, high-risk neighborhoods are
defined as those with a high incidence of OHCA and low B-CPR participation rates. In Aim 2 we will utilize
qualitative methods to understand barriers to B-CPR participation in high-risk neighborhoods and elicit
community feedback on the current American Heart Association CPR Anytimeâ training kit. Focus group
interviews with members of the Bystander Support Network will provide critical insights into the real-life bystander
experience, which will help inform local focus group discussions. Stakeholder interviews and focus group
discussions with community members residing in a high-risk Birmingham neighborhood will identify
neighborhood-specific barriers to B-CPR participation and provide feedback regarding the usability of the CPR
Anytimeâ training kit. Finally, in Aim 3 we will adapt the CPR Anytimeâ training kit using the feedback received
from community focus groups; and then pilot a prototype targeted community intervention specifically designed
to overcome modifiable barriers to B-CPR with the goal of increasing layperson OHCA awareness, CPR
education, and willingness to perform B-CPR in at-risk neighborhoods. This project is complemented by a
structured career development plan that has been designed with the input of an expert multidisciplinary
mentorship team that is committed to provide guidance throughout this award. During the 5 years of this award,
Dr. Ryan Coute, an early investigator committed to reducing OHCA treatment and outcome disparities, will learn
geospatial mapping, multimethod qualitative research, community intervention design, and implementation
science. This K23 award will ultimately support Dr. Coute’s transition to lead an independent research portfolio
and will provide the training and preliminary data needed for future R-level proposals; such as (1) evaluating the
impact of a targeted community-level B-CPR intervention on OHCA survival, (2) a multi-site trial to determine
the impact of the intervention on other communities, or (3) exploring the dynamics of...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10738902
- **Project number:** 1K23HL166692-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Ryan Andrew Coute
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $173,879
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-08-23 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10738902

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10738902, Improving Community-level Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Underserved Populations (1K23HL166692-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10738902. Licensed CC0.

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