A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating a Community-Based, Family Network Heart Health Intervention - the SERVE OC Trial: Design, Rationale and Baseline Findings
- 1UC Irvine
Abstract
BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) disproportionately burdens underserved communities, where social determinants of health (SDOH) perpetuate persistent disparities. Family-based interventions leveraging social support represent a promising yet understudied approach. We describe the rationale, design, and methods of the Skills-based Educational strategies for the Reduction of Vascular Events in Orange County (SERVE OC) RCT and present baseline characteristics of enrolled families.
MethodsSERVE OC is a 2-arm RCT of 190 Latino and Vietnamese families (486 individuals) randomized to the family-based intervention or individual self-management. The intervention was grounded in social network theory while employing community engaged strategies. Primary outcomes include achieving ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) defined by AHA Lifes Essential 8 (LE8) and systolic blood pressure reduction at 12, 24, and 36 months. Baseline assessments include demographics, LE8, psychosocial factors, food security, and SDOH. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses examined cohort characteristics and associations between SDOH, food security, and LE8.
ResultsOver 83% of participants had suboptimal LE8 scores. Average adult total LE8 scores were 66.61 {+/-}11.96, with physical activity as the weakest domain, compared to an average of 76.52{+/-}10.15 in children. Greater SDOH burden and food security were associated with significantly lower odds of ideal CVH and lower LE8 scores respectively.
ConclusionsSERVE OC demonstrates the feasibility of enrolling families in community-engaged RCT targeting CVD disparities in underserved population. Baseline findings confirm substantial CVD risk and SDOH burden underscoring the need for multi-level, culturally tailored interventions. Trials results will inform scalable, family-focused strategies for CVD prevention across the life course.
Clinical Trial RegistrationURL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/; Unique Identifier: NCT05641519.
Clinical PerspectiveO_LIThe SERVE OC study evaluates a novel, family-based cardiovascular risk reduction intervention utilizing a community health worker model that strategically leverages social networks to promote sustainable, healthy behavior change. C_LIO_LIThe approach fosters support with a focus on optimizing primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease within the family unit. C_LIO_LIEngaging family support systems in clinical prevention strategies may improve overall adherence to lifestyle modifications and risk factor management across diverse communities. C_LI
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BibTeX
@misc{bodenalbala2026randomized,
title = {{A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating a Community-Based, Family Network Heart Health Intervention - the SERVE OC Trial: Design, Rationale and Baseline Findings}},
author = {B. Boden-Albala and J. Wing and M. J. Landry and M. Castro and D. Gutierrez and C. Cardenas and J. Rousseau and A. M. Rahmani and A. Chavez and X. Ding and A. Kurzman and B. Albala},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.64898/2026.08.31.26361871},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.31.26361871v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating a Community-Based, Family Network Heart Health Intervention - the SERVE OC Trial: Design, Rationale and Baseline Findings
AU - B. Boden-Albala
AU - J. Wing
AU - M. J. Landry
AU - M. Castro
AU - D. Gutierrez
AU - C. Cardenas
AU - J. Rousseau
AU - A. M. Rahmani
AU - A. Chavez
AU - X. Ding
AU - A. Kurzman
AU - B. Albala
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/31
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.08.31.26361871
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.31.26361871v1
AB - BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) disproportionately burdens underserved communities, where social determinants of health (SDOH) perpetuate persistent disparities. Family-based interventions leveraging social support represent a promising yet understudied approach. We describe the rationale, design, and methods of the Skills-based Educational strategies for the Reduction of Vascular Events in Orange County (SERVE OC) RCT and present baseline characteristics of enrolled families. MethodsSERVE OC is a 2-arm RCT of 190 Latino and Vietnamese families (486 individuals) randomized to the family-based intervention or individual self-management. The intervention was grounded in social network theory while employing community engaged strategies. Primary outcomes include achieving ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) defined by AHA Lifes Essential 8 (LE8) and systolic blood pressure reduction at 12, 24, and 36 months. Baseline assessments include demographics, LE8, psychosocial factors, food security, and SDOH. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses examined cohort characteristics and associations between SDOH, food security, and LE8. ResultsOver 83% of participants had suboptimal LE8 scores. Average adult total LE8 scores were 66.61 {+/-}11.96, with physical activity as the weakest domain, compared to an average of 76.52{+/-}10.15 in children. Greater SDOH burden and food security were associated with significantly lower odds of ideal CVH and lower LE8 scores respectively. ConclusionsSERVE OC demonstrates the feasibility of enrolling families in community-engaged RCT targeting CVD disparities in underserved population. Baseline findings confirm substantial CVD risk and SDOH burden underscoring the need for multi-level, culturally tailored interventions. Trials results will inform scalable, family-focused strategies for CVD prevention across the life course. Clinical Trial RegistrationURL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/; Unique Identifier: NCT05641519. Clinical PerspectiveO_LIThe SERVE OC study evaluates a novel, family-based cardiovascular risk reduction intervention utilizing a community health worker model that strategically leverages social networks to promote sustainable, healthy behavior change. C_LIO_LIThe approach fosters support with a focus on optimizing primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease within the family unit. C_LIO_LIEngaging family support systems in clinical prevention strategies may improve overall adherence to lifestyle modifications and risk factor management across diverse communities. C_LI
ER -