Promoting brain health for African Americans: evaluating the healthy brain initiative, a community-level demonstration project.

INTRODUCTION: African Americans are at significantly greater risk than non-Hispanic Whites or Hispanics for cognitive impairment. This study presents an evaluation of the Alzheimer's Association's Healthy Brain Initiative, a culturally tailored community-level intervention to increase knowledge and awareness of brain health among African American baby boomers.
METHODS: The evaluation used a mixed-method design with data collection before, during, and after intervention implementation.
RESULTS: The intervention was implemented with fidelity to model design by Alzheimer's Association chapters. Partnerships between chapters and community organizations to increase awareness of brain health among African American baby boomers were facilitated. Community members who participated in intervention workshops demonstrated increased knowledge, awareness, and intentions to engage in recommended health-protective behaviors.
CONCLUSION: A community-level intervention can increase knowledge and awareness of brain health among African American baby boomers. In addition, such interventions can motivate participants' intentions to engage in health-protective behaviors to maintain overall health and brain health.