Journal article
MOCHA Moving Forward: findings and lessons learned from implementing a community-based chronic disease prevention study with middle-aged black men
Ethnicity & health, pp 1-19
09 Jul 2025
PMID: 40629915
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Black men in the U.S. experience disproportionately high rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and prostate cancer - conditions closely linked to chronic stressors such as racial discrimination, economic precarity, and gender role strain. In response, the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) program was developed to promote the physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being of men of color through culturally grounded discussions on structural violence, coping, and masculinity. This paper presents findings and key implementation lessons from the MOCHA Moving Forward study, which tested two intervention models: the original MOCHA program (MO) and MOCHA+, an enhanced version incorporating culturally adapted narrative dialogue.
This community-academic feasibility trial randomized 210 men aged 35-70 into MO or MOCHA+ groups. Both participated in a 10-week program focused on stress and chronic disease prevention.
Among participants who completed the program, statistically significant reductions were found in self-reported stress, BMI, anxiety, and depression in the MO group. When combining MO and MOCHA+ participants, reductions in stress and BMI remained significant. However, high attrition and loss to follow-up (final sample: 38) posed challenges to feasibility and scalability.
Despite retention challenges, findings suggest MOCHA is a promising intervention for stress and chronic disease risk reduction among men of color. The significant outcomes observed among completers highlight the program's potential and provide critical insights for improving the feasibility of future community-based interventions. Future research should explore scalable adaptations and further refine MOCHA's culturally tailored content to better support structurally marginalized populations.
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Details
- Title
- MOCHA Moving Forward: findings and lessons learned from implementing a community-based chronic disease prevention study with middle-aged black men
- Creators
- Luis A Valdez - Drexel UniversityJeffery Markham, Jr - University of Massachusetts AmherstLamont Scott - Color (United States)Sharina Person - University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolJerrold Meyer - University of Massachusetts AmherstDean Robinson - University of Massachusetts AmherstDavid R Buchanan - University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Publication Details
- Ethnicity & health, pp 1-19
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 19
- Grant note
- National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD): R01MD010618
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) under award number R01MD010618.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Drexel FIRST (Center for Firefighter Injury Research and Safety Trends); Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001524863300001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105010504520
- Other Identifier
- 991022064836904721
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InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Ethnic Studies
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health