Perelman School of Medicine Researchers Receive $2 Million Grant to Help Prevent Chronic Diseases among HIV Positive African American Men
March 5, 2012 - PHILADELPHIA - Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine ,
the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania , and the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing , have
received a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study novel approaches to preventing chronic diseases in HIV
positive African American men.
 "African American
men who are infected with HIV are living longer than ever before and are now being impacted by the same chronic diseases that affect the
general population of African American men over 40," said principal investigator John B. Jemmott, PhD, professor of Communication
in Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine and Kenneth B. Clark Professor of Communication at the Annenberg School for
Communication. "We know that in addition to standard age-related factors, many of these chronic illnesses have
behavioral components-risk is influenced by what people do and don't do, their diet, and the amount of physical
activity they get. Based on this complex intersection, we need to identify novel strategies to help these men
navigate their lives in the healthiest way possible."
Dr. Jemmott says that although the high risk for multiple behavior-linked chronic diseases among HIV-positive individuals
has long been recognized, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions specifically tailored to their needs. The risk is heightened
by HIV infection, but also its treatment with certain agents used in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) combinations.
The research team's broad objective is to verify evidenced-based treatment strategies and reduce the risk of chronic diseases
among HIV positive African American men. Specifically, they will test the efficacy of a theory-based, contextually appropriate health
promotion intervention to induce positive changes in behaviors linked to risk of chronic diseases among HIV positive African
American. The study will utilize a randomized controlled trial of 384 African American HIV positive men age 40 or older
who are receiving HAART. The intervention will include a five-a-day fruit and vegetable regimen, weight and
cardiovascular monitoring, and prostate and colon cancer screenings.
At the end of the study, the researchers will evaluate each patient's health-related fitness (via a six-minute walk test,
one-minute push-up test, one-minute sit-up test, sit-and-reach test), physiological variables (blood pressure, body mass index, waist
circumference, and waist-hip ratio), and participation in prostate and colon cancer screenings.
"We hope this research will help in the urgent need for interventions to reduce the risk of non-HIV related chronic
diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes in HIV positive African American men age 40 and
older," said Dr. Jemmott.
Additional Penn faculty involved in the trial are: Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, University of Pennsylvania School of
Nursing; Ian Frank, MD, Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine; and Scarlett Bellamy, ScD, Center for Clinical
Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Perelman School of Medicine.
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Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions
of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman
School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of
Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $4.3 billion enterprise.
The Perelman School of Medicine is currently ranked #2 in U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical
schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $479.3
million awarded in the 2011 fiscal year.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
-- recognized as one of the nation's top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Penn Presbyterian Medical Center; and Pennsylvania
Hospital - the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Penn Medicine also includes additional patient care facilities and services
throughout the Philadelphia region.
Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities.
In fiscal year 2011, Penn Medicine provided $854 million to benefit our community.
Source: Penn Medicine: University of Pennsylvania
http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/2012/03/researchers/
Contact:
Jessica Mikulski
215-349-8369
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