The Aims of the Jackson Heart Study are to:

• Establish a single-site epidemiological study of CVD in African American men and women through including and expanding the Jackson Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.
  
• Identify risk factors for development and progression of CVD, with emphasis on manifestations related to hypertension (left ventricular hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, stroke and renovascular disease) in African Americans.
• Build research capabilities at minority institutions by developing partnerships.
• Develop programs to attract minority students to careers in public health and epidemiology.

The JHS is being conducted through a unique collaborative effort among three Jackson area universities/colleges: Jackson State University (JSU); Tougaloo College; and the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). The JHS is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) at the National Institutes of Health. An Observational Studies Monitoring Board (OSMB) comprised of scientists from major research universities provide scientific oversight of study activities. A Field Site Office and staff are provided at the JHS headquarters by NHLBI to provide support for scientific investigators. The JHS is headquartered at the Jackson Medical Mall, a former urban shopping mall refurbished and converted in 1998 to a variety of health-related enterprises in the heart of the Jackson African American community.

The JHS engages the community in all study activities through a variety of approaches. These include community representation on JHS Sub-committees and on a Community Monitoring Board. The Community Monitoring Board was created to provide information to the community about the state of the study, and to receive feedback from the community regarding concerns about the study. The JHS provides questions and answers to the community about the sate of the study. The JHS participates in providing health education to the community on topics related to CVD. The JHS also publishes a newsletter that is sent to all participants and made available to the community-at-large.

The JHS includes 5,302 African American men and women between the ages of 21 and 84. The sample is comprised of four groups: a randomly selected sample of 17%; a volunteer sample of 30%; previous ARIC participants, 31%; and a family sample of 22%. The sample is comprised of 64% African American women and 36% African American men. Phase One of the study began in September 2000 and ended in March 2004. The initial clinical examination was comprised of a physical assessment inclusive of blood pressure, sitting and ambulatory; body mass index; electrocardiography, echoelectrocardiography and carotid ultra sound; pulmonary function; blood and urine analysis. It was also compromised of a series of questionnaires inclusive of medical and family history; lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity; and socio-cultural factors such as stress and discrimination.

The Jackson Heart Study is a study that will examine the factors that influence the development of cardiovascular disease in African American men and women.  In addition, the Jackson Heart Study is an effort to empower African Americans in the Jackson Metropolitan Area to reduce the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease such as obesity, hypertension and lack of physical activity.

The Jackson Heart Study is the first large-scale cardiovascular disease study in African Americans.  The results will significantly impact not only African Americans in Mississippi, but African Americans throughout the United States.  It will  enhance our overall knowledge of cardiovascular disease.  This study is important because it provides an opportunity for African Americans to leave a legacy of health for their future generations.

• The Jackson Heart Study will enhance the community’s awareness and understanding of cardiovascular disease through seminars and workshops on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol and nutrition. 
• The Jackson Heart Study will identify risk factors for cardiovascular disease in African Americans. 
• The Jackson Heart Study will enhance research capabilities at minority institutions by developing partnerships, and it will develop programs to attract minority students into careers in public health and epidemiology. 
• The Jackson Heart Study provides African Americans with opportunities to give meaningful input into the development of a major research project that impacts our health.

One vision of the Jackson Heart Study for the future is the translation of the research into practice and prevention.  For study participants and the general public, practice refers to day-to-day health-related activities to stay well, prevent disease and prevent the complications of heart disease.  For health professionals, practice refers to the process they use to assess, diagnose, treat and refer their patients.  For all groups, prevention refers to the use of health education to focus day-to-day health practices on behaviors that reduce or eliminate the risk factors for heart disease.  Further, several studies related to the Jackson Heart Study, called “ancillary studies”, are being conducted that will provide greater insight on specific research in areas such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, physical activity, and lifestyle changes.