Lifestyle Innovations Core

The lifestyle Innovations Core of the Centene Center for Health Transformation tested the feasibility and efficacy of a tailored lifestyle intervention for caregivers and their children. This work included designing and implementing rigorous research models for in-person and technology-based approaches. Research also included qualitative efforts evaluating current programs.

Project Staff

Faculty Directors: Debra Haire-Joshu, PhD; Rachel Tabak, PhD,

Research Team:   Cindy Schwarz, MPH, MS, RD; Ronni Byrth, BS, Rebekah Jacob, MPH, MSW; Kim Casey, BS, Brenda Peek, Lisa Patin, Barbara Varmall, Leona Camel, Sabrina Diaz, Angela Pineda, Karla Alvarez

External Collaborators: Karyn Quinn, MSN;  Pat Kristen, MS, RDN (Centene Corporation)

Graduate Research Assistants: Adriana Aramburu, Nishita Dsouza, Paulina Flores Jimenez, Giam Pham, Maryse Rios-Hernandez, ShaCoria Winston

Project Partners

Centene Corporation, Envolve PeopleCare, Sunshine Health, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, Home State Health, New Hampshire Healthy Families

Project Dates: 2015-2020

Publications

Haire-Joshu, D,  Schwarz, C. D., Jacob, R., Kristen, P., Johnston, S., Quinn, K., Tabak, R.G. 2020. Raising Well at Home: a pre-post feasibility study of a lifestyle intervention for caregivers and their child with obesity. Pilot and Feasibility Studies  6(6): 149

Tabak, R.G., Dsouza, N., Schwarz, C. D., Quinn, K., Kristen, P., Haire-Joshu, D. 2018. A Formative Study to Understand Perspectives of Families Eligible for a Pediatric Obesity Program: a Qualitative Study. BMC Public Health 18(1):586

Presentations

Aramburu, A., Schwarz, C., Tabak, R. Perceptions of Neighborhood Safety as a Predictor of Sedentary Lifestyle. Research Without Walls at Washington University Brown School’s Annual Event, St. Louis, MO, United States. (April, 2018)

Haire-Joshu, D., Mason, M. The Humanization of Health Care: Addressing Social Determinants of Health to Improve Behavior Change. American’s Health Insurance Plans, Washington DC, United States. (September, 2017)

Tabak, R., Schwarz, C., Haire-Joshu, D. Perspective of Families Eligible for a Pediatric Obesity Program. Annual Meeting for the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Vancouver, Canada. (June, 2017)

Tabak, R., Dsouza, N., Schwarz, C., Urnek, M., Quinn, K., Haire-Joshu, D. Perspective of Families Eligible for a Pediatric Obesity Program. Institute of Public Health at Washington University’s Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO, United States. (November, 2016)

Dsouza, N. Peer Coaching and Intergenerational Lifestyle Change: a Pilot Study. Research without Walls at Washington University Brown School’s Annual Event, St. Louis, MO, United States. (April, 2016)

Media

How to Communicate Effectively and Influence Healthy Behavior Change, Blog post, February 4, 2020

Barriers to Starting Health Programs, Blog post, September 23, 2019

Envolve Center and Health Plan Test New Approach with Childhood Obesity, Blog post, November 9, 2017

Sunflower Health Plan Takes On A New Role In Peer Coaching Research, Blog Post, September 29, 2017

Envolve Center Brings Promising Behavior-Based Healthcare Interventions to Light at AHIP National Conferences, Blog post, September 15, 2017