Implementation Strategies to Address Cardiometabolic Disparities in Black Men: Lessons from Existing Research and Future Directions.

Abstract

Purpose: Black men in the United States experience a disproportionate burden of cardiometabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite these disparities, existing interventions often fail to address the shared risk factors, structural determinants, and implementation barriers that impact engagement and sustainability. This review applies implementation science frameworks to evaluate strategies for improving cardiometabolic interventions tailored to Black men.

Recent findings: Community-based interventions, culturally tailored health education programs, and peer-led models have demonstrated success in improving cardiometabolic outcomes for Black men. However, challenges such as medical mistrust, underrepresentation in research, and systemic barriers continue to limit their reach and sustainability. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) identifies multi-level barriers and facilitators, the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework assesses intervention impact, and the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications for Evidence-Based Interventions (FRAME-IS) highlights equity-driven adaptations. Applying implementation science frameworks provides structured insights into optimizing interventions for Black men by addressing barriers across patient, provider, and system levels. Key facilitators include culturally relevant adaptations, an inclusive healthcare workforce, and trusted community partnerships. Future research should integrate equity-focused implementation strategies to improve adoption, engagement, and long-term sustainability of cardiometabolic interventions for Black men.