Addressing a GAP in MENOpausal Latinas’ Healthcare: Adapting MENOGAP for Community Health Worker Delivery in Hispanic/Latinx Communities

Approximately 128M Hispanic/Latinx people will reside in the United States (US) by 2050 and Latinas will represent 25% of the total female population.1 Research on disparities in healthcare access identifies Hispanics/Latinx as one of the most disadvantaged groups. With respect to midlife women, Latinas enter menopause earlier and have longer-lasting symptoms than white women.2 Latinas are also more likely to report urine leakage, vaginal dryness, increased heart rate3, and perceived stress.4 A 2022 study proposed that some health disparities experienced by Latinas are likely attributable to structural racism in the US.5

Our team has developed a promising intervention, MENOGAP, which is delivered by a prescribing provider and a licensed acupuncturist and includes “doc talks” about symptoms, self-care, and evidence-based non/pharmacological interventions including acupuncture therapy.6,7 Yet, because MENOGAP is delivered by two healthcare providers, some Latinas are unable to access this intervention due to lack of insurance coverage. Accessible and innovative delivery of MENOGAP is with a community health worker (CHW). CHWs are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of the community who build individual and community health capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency. CHWs can deliver adapted MENOGAP in a group setting, reaching more women and doing so in a manner congruent with Hispanic/Latinx cultural values.8
We propose the following Aims: Aim 1: Adapt the manualized MENOGAP intervention for delivery by Community Health Workers (CHWs), calling the adapted intervention Community MENOGAP. MENOGAP content will be revised for cultural relevance and translated into Spanish.
Aim 2: Assess feasibility and acceptability metrics and Hispanic/Latinx women’s health outcomes after receiving Community MENOGAP. Three groups of N=12 Latinas will receive Community MENOGAP. We will assess feasibility, acceptability, and symptoms.