Table 1. 2012–2013 Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center (MSM PRC) Community Health Needs Assessment: Health Concerns, Causes, Solutions and MSM PRC-CCB Response.

Issue/Concern	Causes	Solutions	MSM PRC-CCB Responses
Cardiovascular disease/hypertension/high blood pressure	“Eating habits.” “Lack of knowledge.” “Salty/fatty foods.” “Stress.” “Too much sodium in the diet or stressful lifestyle.”	“Better awareness programs.” “Classes offered free to educate the masses.” “Education on healthier eating and the risk of habits that are dangerous to the body.” “Health seminars.” “Healthier restaurants in the area.” “More free screenings from clinics.”	REACH policy, systems, and environmental change strategies-Healthy Corner Store Initiative Community-funded grant to increase healthy lifestyles—weight loss = health gain Safe Routes to School Initiative Adaptation in RPC School (REACH)
Diabetes (pre-diabetes, type 1, type 2)	“High sugar intake.” “Lack of good food choices.” “Poor eating habits.” “Stores without fresh produce.”	“Build better stores in the community with veggies.” “Eat healthy.” “Health class to inform the uninformed.” “Make healthier food selections available at local markets.” “Offer free exercise and cooking classes.”	Community Health Workers hired from RPC residents trained and supported in efforts to reduce/prevent and manage cardiovascular disease and diabetes
HIV/AIDS	“Having sex, sharing needles, blood to blood contact.” “No awareness program.” “Unprotected sex.”	“I wish I knew the answer … but a lot of things start with awareness and education.” “People should be more informed about the spreading of HIV and prevention.” “Preventive classes.” “Safe sex.”	The MSM PRC core research project: A multimethod approach to STI and HIV/AIDS prevention among urban minority youth—HIV/AIDS prevention program for youth

Abbreviations: HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; REACH, Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health; RPC, research partner communities; STI, sexually transmitted infection.