Biological and Behavioral Outcomes of Community Nature Walks

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigators will test the efficacy of our proposed intervention to reduce embodied stress in four racial/ethnic groups (Black, Latinx, Pilipinx, and Pacific Islander) as a preventative intervention for health disparities found in these communities. The intervention is comprised of two phases. The first consists of community nature walks in a pristine redwood forest for six months. This is followed by chosen nature activities with family and/or friends for three months. The investigators will test the ability of these activities in nature to reduce chronic stress that underpins many health disparities using validated biological, behavioral, and sociocultural measures. The use of these measures is in alignment with the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Research Framework, and will increase understanding of individual, interpersonal, community, and social level factors that lead to, and that can eliminate health disparities.

Detailed Description
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The investigators will test the efficacy of our proposed intervention to reduce embodied stress in four racial/ethnic groups (Black, Latinx, Pilipinx, and Pacific Islander) as a preventative intervention for health disparities found in these communities. The intervention is comprised of two phases. The first consists of community nature walks in a pristine redwood forest for six months. This is followed by chosen nature activities with family and/or friends for three months. The investigators will test the ability of these activities in nature to reduce chronic stress that underpins many health disparities using validated biological, behavioral, and sociocultural measures. The use of these measures is in alignment with the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Research Framework, and will increase understanding of individual, interpersonal, community, and social level factors that lead to, and that can eliminate health disparities.

Official Title
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Examining Anti-Racist Healing in Nature to Protect Telomeres of Transitional Age BIPOC for Health Equity

Conditions
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Stress, Psychological, Telomere Shortening, Stress Reaction

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Reclaiming Nature Intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion critieria: 18 years or older able to commit to a 9-month Nature Intervention (6-month walks; 3-month chosen nature activity) spoken languages: English, Spanish, or Tagalog able-bodied as in must be able to walk. Exclusion criteria: pregnant women (and other gender identities who are pregnant) prisoners cognitively impaired

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Sequential Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Waitlist control design
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Waitlist Control<br>Waitlist control; all participants receive the treatment but are in a control condition prior to the treatment | Behavioral: Reclaiming Nature Intervention<br>* The purpose of the community intervention is to prevent health disparities in Black, Latinx, Pilipinx, and Pacific Islander communities of San Francisco, California.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Relative Telomere Length | Relative Telomere Length in the name of the outcome measure. | Baseline (pre-intervention), during intervention, immediate post-intervention, 3 months after intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hair cortisol concentration | Hair cortisol concentration in the name of the outcome measure. | Baseline (pre-intervention), during intervention, immediate post-intervention, 3 months after intervention | 
| Self-reported stress (extent of) | Cohen Stress Scale (Likert-type self-reported measurement) in the name of the outcome measure. | Baseline (pre-intervention), during intervention, immediate post-intervention, 3 months after intervention | 
| Positive mood (extent of) | Positive And Negative Affect Scale International version (PANAS-I) (Likert-type self-reported measurement) | Baseline (pre-intervention), during intervention, immediate post-intervention, 3 months after intervention |