Community Engagement for Early Recognition and Immediate Action in Stroke (CEERIAS/2CEERIAS)

Advancing Health Equity: CEERIAS and 2CEERIAS Projects Showcasing ATW's Commitment

ATW’s research, evaluations, policy, and technical support work is designed to improve outcomes in quality and safety, eliminate health disparities in various disease states, and promote equity among at-risk populations. CEERIAS and 2CEERIAS projects demonstrate our commitment to this work. Stroke ranks as one of the primary contributors to fatalities and impairments in the United States. In 2014, a collaborative effort led by Dr. Shaym Prabakaran from the University of Chicago Medicine, Dr. Neelum Aggarwal from RUSH Medicine, and Dr. Knitasha Washington from ATW Health Solutions was initiated to investigate the effects of community-based education on stroke outcomes within the at-risk population of Illinois. ATW Health Solutions led the community engagement strategy, study design, and implementation as part of this study. As a result of the impact of COVID-19, ATW Health Solutions expanded the CEERIAS examination to 2CEERIAS, where we evaluated methods of community engagement during COVID-19, education as early intervention, and barriers to accessing the health system.

CEERIAS

Stroke continues to rank among the leading causes of death and disability. Stroke is a time-sensitive disease, where early activation of the health care system and treatment can limit brain damage and its long-lasting effects on disability. Researchers have found that the risk for stroke is significantly higher for the African American, Latino, and other underserved populations on the West and South sides of Chicago.

The Community Engagement in Early Recognition and Immediate Action in Stroke (CEERIAS) study was funded by PCORI in 2014. The study objective was to use a patient- and community-partnered approach to develop and implement an effective intervention to increase early hospital arrival for acute stroke in two high-risk neighborhoods in Chicago. The research team created an educational program that prepared community leaders and patient advocates to recognize and train others on the need to “Act FAST for Stroke.” Through traditional community engagement methods, the knowledge and training shared by these Stroke Promoters helped bring greater community awareness. Simply, being aware of the speed and care given to patients who arrive at the hospital in time for lifesaving treatment, preferably by ambulance, helps to emphasize the importance of “acting FAST” in the community.

2CEERIAS

COVID-19 also demonstrated gross disparities in health outcomes, changed our socialization construct, and showed an early connection to stroke. 2CEERIAS examined the impact of COVID-19 on outcomes and explored recommendations for intervention modification by focusing on messaging and engagement using virtual platforms.

This project had three specific AIMS:

  • Produced recommendations for future patient, family, and community-driven research priorities focused on stroke education and early treatment for Black and Latino communities.

  • Addressed barriers to community stroke activation and assessed the impact of neighborhood-level factors on stroke-related disability in the COVID-19 environment.

  • Disseminated and tracked a modified educational intervention response among Chicagoland Stroke Promoters using online, social, and broadcast media.

2CEERIAS was funded through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award (EAIN 00196).

From Research to Policy Implementation

The CEERIAS/2CEERIAS project utilized engagement science to advance education and awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke among minority populations. Recognizing the disparities in outcomes among individuals from Black, Latinx, and other minority communities, it was imperative to tailor outreach materials to reflect the project's targeted populations. The stroke promoters were given stroke educational materials and made them their own. They were empowered to adapt the industry standard stroke awareness materials to depict people who reflected their communities. The materials were adapted to reflect people from the black and brown communities while using plain language to ensure they were easy to understand.

The project also ensured that barriers and burdens were identified among minority communities. Historically, healthcare interventions have not been inclusive. Community voices, insights, and feedback were collected to understand the barriers and adapt the interventions to meet their needs. Examples include updating FAST cards to feature people of color and creating cartoons depicting community members to engage younger populations. Additionally, the project reached out to communities facing food insecurities by involving community members in food distribution centers, COVID-19 testing sites, and various community events through stroke promoters and community advisory board members.

New Stroke Education and Awareness Campaign in 2024

ATW Health Solutions is proud to announce that we are partnering with Governors State University to support a new stroke education and awareness campaign in Chicago’s Southland communities. More information is forthcoming. Additional background information is provided below.

In 2022, Dr. Tanya Roberson, one of the community Stroke Promoters and Director of Community Engagement at Governors State University, recommended a bill that funds community engagement and education to rid stroke disparities and lessen overall incidences.

The bill, written by Illinois House Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin, was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in July 2022.

Illinois House Bill 5014
This bill requires the Department of Public Health to partner with Governors State University to establish a six-month outreach and educational campaign focused on promoting stroke awareness within Chicago’s Southland community, stroke recognition and prevention strategies, and access to reliable sources of information about strokes.

Additional Stroke Resources

Stroke Promoter Training

Learn key insight from the 2CEERIAS Project and how to prevent stroke.