Background: Family health history (FHH) is a tool used to inform individuals about inherited disease risk. Due to their disproportionate morbidity and mortality from some common chronic diseases, U.S. Latinos are an important audience for FHH information. This study examined the effects of a culturally-tailored intervention led by lay health advisors (LHAs) in delivering information about FHH on participants’ intentions, self-efficacy, and conceptual knowledge. Methods: 474 Spanish-speaking Latino participants were enrolled in the study. Individuals in the intervention group participated in a single group educational session using discussion and interactive activities to build skills for discussing FHH with one’s family members and doctor, while individuals in the comparison group had a brochure read aloud to them. Pre- and post-test questionnaires were verbally administered. Results: Primary dependent variables were intentions and self-efficacy to discuss FHH with family members and doctors; these increased in both groups. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that the intervention led to a significantly greater increase in self-efficacy to discuss FHH with family members (p = 0.03). LHA participants were also more than twice as likely (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.3–5.0) to correctly understand the purpose of a FHH and found FHH information more useful (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: A communication intervention delivered by LHAs shows promise as an effective means of educating underserved Spanish-speaking Latinos about the importance of FHH for disease prevention. Such community-based approaches can help to close knowledge and skills gaps about FHH and increase confidence in using this information to improve the health of those most at risk.

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These findings indicate that diverse communities are receptive to FHH intervention, and tailored health educational materials can lead to increased conversations and awareness about health issues across communities.

Purpose: Evaluation findings from “X” a culturally relevant, community-based intervention addressing nutrition knowledge and food access are presented. Design: No-control quasi-experimental intervention with pre, post, and follow-up assessments. Setting: “X” was promotores-led through “X” community-based partners. Sample: Low-income Latino adults (N=966) receiving services at 25 partner sites. Intervention: “X” was a six-hour intervention focused on nutrition knowledge and consumption of fruits, vegetables, and home-prepared meals. It also provided guidance for health-conscious grocery shopping, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) information, and enrollment assistance. Measures: Self-report surveys assessed nutrition knowledge; intention to change; and frequency of fruit, vegetable, and home-prepared meal consumption. Sites reported monthly SNAP enrollment data. Analysis: Paired-samples t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVAs assessed changes in knowledge, intentions, and behavior from pre-to-post (n=960) and pre-to-follow-up (n=115). Results: Pre-to-follow-up increases in nutrition knowledge (p<.001) were observed. Intention to consume more vegetables (p=.027) and home-prepared meals (p<.001) also improved between pre and follow-up. Increases from pre-to-follow-up were observed for frequency of consuming fruits (p=.007), vegetables (p=.001), and home-prepared meals (p<.001). Across 16 months, 24,359 Latinos enrolled for SNAP. Conclusion: Large-scale community collaborations to deliver culturally relevant nutrition education and SNAP enrollment assistance can increase food access, health literacy, and promote healthful diets for Latinos.