Abstract P379: Groceries for Black Residents of Boston to Stop Hypertension (GoFresh): A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Diet is a major cause of disparities in hypertension among Black adults. While the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Eating Plan is proven to lower blood pressure (BP), access to DASH-patterned groceries is a major barrier for residents of urban food deserts. Objective: To test whether dietitian-assisted, home-delivered, DASH-patterned groceries lower BP among Black adults with elevated BP who reside in Boston area food deserts. Methods: The Groceries for Black Residents of Boston to Stop Hypertension (GoFresh) study is one of five projects in the RESTORE Network, an AHA-funded initiative focused on hypertension prevention. This individual level, parallel-arm trial will enroll up to 176 Black adults with a systolic BP (SBP) between 120 and <150 mm Hg, who reside in communities identified by the MA Department of Health as urban food deserts. Following a 1:1 randomization scheme, half of participants will be assigned to weekly sessions with a dietitian, who will assist in ordering DASH-patterned groceries online for home delivery. The remaining participants will receive an unrestricted monthly stipend (referent). Both interventions will last 3 months followed by a 9-month maintenance phase. The trial is powered to detect a difference in SBP (primary) of -5.8 mm Hg measured after 3 months (DASH vs stipend). Secondary outcomes are 24-hour ambulatory BP, body mass index, 24-hour urine sodium and potassium, hemoglobin A1C, lipids, and intake of fruits, vegetables, and saturated fat. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with 45 participants after 6 months to determine barriers and facilitators of long-term intervention maintenance. The study will establish a biorepository of blood and urine. A Community Advisory Board collaborates with the study team on all aspects of the trial. Discussion: Findings from this study will inform ongoing work on scalable interventions to prevent hypertension among Black adults with implications for public and healthcare-based food supplementation programs.