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Men 4 Health

ACS logo Principal Investigator: Derek M. Griffith, PhD

Co-Investigators/Mentors: Ken Resnicow, PhD; Cleopatra Caldwell, PhD; Eugenia Eng, Dr.PH

Contact Information: Phone: 615.936.3610; email: crmh@vanderbilt.edu

Funding Source: American Cancer Society, Mentor Research Scholar Grant

Funding Period: 2007-2012

Mechanism: Mentor Research Scholar Grant

Location: Flint and Genesee County, Michigan

Project Summary

African American men have high rates of diabetes, cancer, hypertension, and obesity.  These health problems are related to unhealthy eating and physical inactivity, but few initiatives have been developed for African American men. Men 4 Health is a five-year project that focuses on African American men ages 35 and older who live in Flint and Genesee County. There are two main goals of the Men 4 Health project: learn from men how their lives and communities affect their health and develop an intervention that helps men establish healthier lifestyles that builds on the strengths of their organizations (fraternities, lodges, men's ministries) and families. If successful, this project will provide critical information on how to enhance African American men's health.

Dissemination 

Griffith, D.M., Ellis, K.R. and Allen, J.O. (2013). An intersectional approach to social determinants of stress for African American men: Men's and women's perspectives. American Journal of Men's Health, 7(4S), 16-27. Supplement on the Health of African American Men: Implications for Research and Practice.

Griffith, D.M., King, A. & Allen, J.O. (2013). Male peer influence on African American men's motivation for physical activity: men's and women's perspectives. American Journal of Men's Health, 7, 169-178.

Griffith, D.M., Wooley, A., & Allen, J.O. (2013). "I'm ready to eat and grab whatever I can get." Determinants and Patterns of African American Men's Eating Practices. Health Promotion Practice, 14(2), 181-188.

Allen, J.O., Griffith, D.M. & Gaines, H. (2013). 'She looks out for the meals, period': African American men's perceptions of how their wives influence their eating behavior and dietary health. Health Psychology, 32(4), 447-55. 

Griffith, D.M., Ellis, K.R., Allen, J.O. (2012). How does health information influence African American men's health behavior? American Journal of Men's Health, 6(2), 156-163.

Griffith, D.M., Allen, J.O. & Gunter, K. (2011). Male Gender Role Strain Influences African American Men's Physical Activity. Health Education and Behavior, 38(5), 482–491.

Griffith, D.M., Allen, J.O., Gunter, K. (2011). Social and cultural factors influence African American men's medical help-seeking. Research on Social Work Practice, 21(3), 337-347. Special issue on African American males.