Keeping the FAITH!: Psychosocial Factors and Healthy Lifestyle Among African-Americans During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, FAITH!—a community-academic partnership with African American churches—surveyed 169 African American adults in Minnesota to understand how pandemic-related stressors affected their ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Over half of respondents reported difficulty staying healthy, which was strongly linked to mental health challenges like stress, depression, anxiety, and anger.
The Association Between Perceived Discrimination, Age and Proportion of Lifetime in the United States Among Somali Immigrants: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
RHCP conducted a survey with Somali immigrants in Southeast Minnesota to explore how age and time spent in the U.S. relate to experiences of discrimination. Using the Everyday Discrimination Scale, they found that younger adults (ages 18–40) reported more frequent and chronic discrimination than older adults. Men and those with higher education or mid-range incomes also reported more discrimination.
Negative Mood is Associated with Sociobehavioral Factors Contributing to Cardiovascular Risk in an Immigrant Population
Among Hispanic/Latino and Somali immigrants in southeast Minnesota, those who reported feeling down or in a negative mood were more likely to face challenges with healthy eating, physical activity, and feeling connected to their communities. These individuals tended to eat fewer fruits and vegetables, drink more sugary beverages, and had lower confidence in their ability to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Relationship Between Negative Mood and Health Behaviors in an Immigrant and Refugee Population
Baseline data from RHCP’s Healthy Immigrant Families project revealed a strong link between mood and health behaviors among immigrant and refugee adolescents and adults in Rochester, Minnesota. Adolescents with positive mood were significantly more active, consumed less soda, and reported greater social support for physical activity.