Our Voices Matter: Racial Justice Activism Intervention to Address Structural Racism and Prevent Depression in Black and Latinx Youth

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Over 15 million people participated in racial justice protests nationwide during 2020-2021 spotlighting activism as a collective tool against structural racism and discrimination (SRD). SRD manifests as policies and practices (e.g., redlining, voter suppression, mass incarceration) that produce hostile environments that contribute to psychological distress, elevated allostatic load, and an elevated risk for chronic diseases and premature death, concentrated within Black and Latinx populations. While the connection between SRD and health is well documented, few studies provide evidence on strategies to reduce SRD and mitigate consequences on psychological and physiological outcomes. Thus, there is a critical need to rigorously test interventions that improve the mental and physical health of Black and Latinx populations, beginning in adolescence. The study's specific aims are to 1) Determine whether a racial justice activism behavioral intervention prevents and reduces depressive symptoms in Black and Latinx adolescents and young adults and 2) Determine whether a racial justice activism behavioral intervention lowers allostatic load scores in Black and Latinx adolescents and young adults. To accomplish these aims, the team will conduct a stage II group-based, multi-component, and multilevel randomized behavioral clinical trial. The investigators will collect psychological and physiological measures at baseline, then at defined intervals for 2 years post the racial justice activism intervention.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 15
Maximum Age: 20
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:

• 15-20 years old

• Identify as Black and/ or Latinx

• Speak English

Locations
United States
Illinois
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
RECRUITING
Chicago
Contact Information
Primary
Nia Heard-Garris, MD, MBA, MSc
nheardgarris@luriechildrens.org
3122272664
Backup
Akram Ibrahim, MS
akibrahim@luriechildrens.org
312-227-6944
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-06-06
Estimated Completion Date: 2028-12-29
Participants
Target number of participants: 300
Treatments
Experimental: RJA Intervention Arm
The Our Voices Matter RJA intervention is a block-stratified randomized, group behavioral intervention designed for Black and Latinx adolescents and young adults (AYAs). The curriculum will specifically focus on the principles of education, organizing, policy development, and legal advocacy. Participants will have didactic sessions, which include policy debates, keynote lectures, seminars, and trainings led by local leaders, community activists, and other experts on civil rights. Participants will learn how to use data to understand how structural barriers influence life. Participants will understand and analyze policy and develop action plans to influence SRD. Additionally, the program will create a network of supportive peers. After the RJA training, small groups will meet monthly via videoconference for 1-year post-intervention. This intervention aims to equip Black and Latinx AYAs with civic and grassroots organizing knowledge and peer support.
Placebo_comparator: Adulting 101
Adulting 101: Life Skills attention control is a 5- day in-person program that will meet for the same number of sessions and duration as the intervention. This attention control is based on the Project Life program developed initially for individuals supporting youth transitioning out of foster care to teach life skills for independent living. This curriculum is delivered through didactic and interactive modules that provide knowledge and informational resources, along with hands-on activities and life skills demonstrations. Sessions include: 1) Community Building, 2) Career Preparation, 3) Education, 4) Money Management, 5) Health and Nutrition, 6) Home Management, and 7) Story Sharing.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Collaborators: Policy Research Associates, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Leads: Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov