Some research provided robust analyses of the affected population s ’ health inequities and demonstrated how a task shifting intervention redressed those concerns .
Introduction Task shifting interventions have been implemented to improve health and address health inequities .
Little is known about how inequity and vulnerability are defined and measured in research on task shifting .
We conducted a systematic review to identify how inequity and vulnerability are identified , defined and measured in  task shifting research from high-income countries .
EMPOWER: a randomized trial using community health workers to deliver a lifestyle intervention program in African American women with Type 2 diabetes: design, rationale, and baseline characteristics.
BACKGROUND African American ( AA ) women with Type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM ) in the rural south experience less weight loss and poorer glycemic control in traditional diabetes management programs compared to Caucasians . This paper describes the design , rationale , and baseline characteristics from an innovative community health worker ( CHW ) delivered intervention program in this population . METHODS / DESIGN This prospect i ve trial r and omized rural AA women with uncontrolled T2DM ( HbA1c ≥ 7.0 ) to receive a behaviorally-centered , culturally-tailored lifestyle intervention during 16 contacts  from a trained AA CHW or 16 approved diabetes educational mailings . Changes from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin levels ( HbA1c ) , blood pressure ( BP ) , weight , body mass index ( BMI ) , self-reported dietary and physical activity patterns , and psychosocial measures including diabetes distress , empowerment , depression , self-care , medication adherence , and life satisfaction will be assessed at 6- and 12-months . BASELINE RESULTS Two hundred AA women ( mean age = 53.09 ± 10.89 years ) with T2DM from impoverished rural communities were enrolled . Baseline data demonstrated profoundly uncontrolled diabetes of long term duration ( mean HbA1c = 9.11 ± 1.82 ; mean BMI = 37.68 ± 8.20 ; mean BP = 134.51 ± 20.39/84.19 ± 11.68 ; 10.5 ± 0.7 years ) . Self-care behavior assessment revealed poor dietary and medication adherence and sedentary lifestyle . Most psychosocial measures ranged within normal limits . CONCLUSION The present sample of AA women from impoverished rural communities exhibited significantly uncontrolled T2DM of long duration with associated obesity and poor lifestyle behaviors . An innovative CHW led lifestyle intervention may lead to more effective strategies for T2DM management in this population
Some research provided robust analyses of the affected population s ’ health inequities and demonstrated how a task shifting intervention redressed those concerns .
Introduction Task shifting interventions have been implemented to improve health and address health inequities .
Little is known about how inequity and vulnerability are defined and measured in research on task shifting .
We conducted a systematic review to identify how inequity and vulnerability are identified , defined and measured in  task shifting research from high-income countries .