Distinguished Professor of Psychology Patrick Corrigan has been awarded a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) for the project, “Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors to Address Obesity-Related Complications of African Americans with Severe Mental Illness Using Peer Navigators.” NIMHD is one of 27 institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Obesity is a significant risk factor for many comorbid health conditions that contribute to earlier deaths of people with severe mental illness, and the rates of obesity are even higher among African Americans with severe mental illnesses. Previous studies have shown some success with behavior-based weight loss strategies, such as diet and exercise, for people with severe mental illness, but research suggests that these strategies may not work as well for African Americans.

Using a community-based participatory research approach, this project will examine the effects of behavior-based weight loss strategies coupled with peer navigators, specially trained service providers from the same ethnic background with a history of similar behavioral health challenges. Over 18 months, the research team will track participants’ weight change, health behavior, physical and mental health, recovery, and quality of life. Findings from the study will be used to recommend services to reduce racial disparities in obesity and comorbid health conditions for African Americans with severe mental illness.