BACKGROUND: Black subjects with a family history of premature coronary heart disease (CHD) have a marked excess risk, yet barriers prevent effective risk reduction. We tested a community-based multiple risk factor intervention (community-based care (CBC)) and compared it with "enhanced" primary care (EPC) to reduce CHD risk in high-risk black families. METHODS AND RESULTS: Black 30- to 59-year-old siblings of a proband with CHD aged < 60 years were randomized for care of BP >= 140/90 mmHg, LDL cholesterol >= 3.37 mmol/L, or current smoking to EPC (n = 168) or CBC (n = 196) and monitored for 1 year. EPC and CBC were designed to eliminate barriers to care. The CBC group received care by a nurse practitioner and a community health worker in a community setting. The CBC group was 2 times more likely to achieve goal levels of LDL cholesterol and blood pressure compared with the EPC group (95% CI 1.11 to 4.20 and 1.39 to 3.88, respectively) with adjustment for baseline levels of age, sex, education, and baseline use of medications. The CBC group demonstrated a significant reduction in global CHD risk, whereas no reduction was seen in the EPC group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Eliminating known barriers may not be sufficient to reduce CHD risk in primary care settings. An alternative community care model that addresses barriers may be a more effective way to ameliorate CHD risk in high-risk black families.
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