Cortés Awarded $530K to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk in Perimenopausal Latinas through Community Health Intervention

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Yamnia I. Cortés, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, who has been awarded more than $530,000 in grant funding from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities for her project “Reducing Cardiovascular Risk in Perimenopausal Latinas: Pilot Study of a Multi-Component Intervention.”

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death among women. Risk of CVD increases substantially during perimenopause, the critical window of 6 to 8 years before a woman’s final menstrual period. Increasing evidence suggests that Latinas have a significantly worse CVD risk factor profile than non-Hispanic white women, which can be attributed to multiple sociocultural and environmental factors, including lower socioeconomic position, discrimination and stress. These factors are related to CVD through their influence on health behaviors, as well as potential mechanisms involving inflammatory and neuroendocrine pathways.

The aim of Dr. Cortés’ four-year study is to examine the feasibility and initial efficacy of a community health worker-led behavioral intervention consisting of menopause education, nutrition, physical activity, coping skills training, and stress management to reduce cardiovascular risk in perimenopausal Latinas.

The study will run through June 30, 2023, and will include the team members listed below.

Primary Mentor: Diane Berry | UNC School of Nursing
Co-Mentor: Krista Perreira | UNC School of Medicine, Social Medicine
Co-Mentor: Allison Steube | UNC School of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Scientific Advisors
Lee Stoner | UNC Department of Exercise and Sport Science
Cheryl Giscombe | UNC School of Nursing
Jamie Crandell | UNC School of Nursing

Well done, Dr. Cortés!

National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities Award Number K23MD014767, Cortés (PI) 9/26/19-6/30/23, Funding $530,960: “Reducing Cardiovascular Risk in Perimenopausal Latinas: Pilot Study of a Multi-Component Intervention.”