[01] Clifton Addison, School of Public Health, Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, USA. [02] Brenda Campbell Jenkins, School of Public Health, Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, USA. [03] Adrianne Clark, School of Public Health, Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, USA. [04] Vanessa Bland, School of Public Health, Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, USA. [05] Monique White, School of Public Health, Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, USA. [06] Ricardo Brown, School of Public Health, Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, USA. [07] Donna Antoine-La Vigne, School of Public Health, Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, USA. [08] Marinelle Payton, School of Public Health, Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, USA.

Background: The study objective was to increase the understanding of the cultural and independent factors influencing health disparities by examining some of the psychosocial issues of African American communities from a community perspective. The authors examined the perceptions of the community members regarding the social factors that affect health and requested their recommendations for addressing them. Methods: Forty-two participants from Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties agreed to share their thoughts, perspectives, and recommendations as part of focus groups. The study group was asked to discuss their perceptions of social elements in the study region that may impact health status. Data were coded and analyzed thematically. Results: Most of the participants cited nutrition, access to healthy foods and physical activity resources as a major area of concern. They understand the importance of making better food choices, developing better eating habits, and decreasing their intake of fast foods. They recommend a change in the mindset of society and a change in the community’s psychological attitude. Conclusions: There is the potential for community health workers to assist communities in identifying and managing cardiovascular risk factors at the community level in Mississippi. A thorough understanding of the impact of social elements on cardiovascular health would provide the impetus for community members to build community-level resilience for the advancement of community care, prevention of premature development of cardiovascular disease, and reduction of health disparities.

African Americans, Cardiovascular Health, Social Determinants, Mississippi

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