What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of this research is to gather information about the use of a health and wellness app in combination with behavior change support to impact the health and wellness of Head Start Early Childhood Educators (ECEs). Findings from this research study may be used to inform future research to improve the health and wellness of Head Start educators in the greater Boston area, or to inform policy for Head Start more broadly.

How long is the study?

The study is scheduled to run through October 31, 2024.

What activities and procedures will the study include?

1. Participate in three (3) center-based Health Fairs, where the study team will measure participants’ height, weight, and blood pressure, take a small sample of blood with a finger prick, and ask them to complete a 24-hour food recall and a health behavior survey.

2. Schedule and attend regular (Zoom) 15-minute meetings with a student Guide, who will provide support for their personal health and wellness goals.

3. Receive free, unlimited use of a popular health and wellness app (Wellable), which includes educational information, online classes and access to online coaches.

What are the risks?

The risks or discomforts associated with this research include possible discomfort with discussing health and wellness behaviors, or with participation in the Health Fairs. There are no foreseeable risks to participating in the ZOOM meetings or phone calls with the Guides, or having access to the Wellable App. Although a data/confidentiality breach is almost always a small risk, the Wellable app, Zoom and phone technology have all been reviewed and approved by Tufts Technology Service for appropriate data security and confidentiality measures for this research. Wellable will collect and use data from participants but will not retain ownership of the data and will provide data to the Tufts research team as part of their agreement.

What are the benefits?

There are no direct benefits from participating in this research study, but participants may benefit from the use of the Wellable app or sessions with Tufts Guides. The information that’s provide may inform future health and wellness interventions for Head Start educators, either locally in the Boston area or nationally.

What is the compensation for the research?

Upon completion of each Health Fair, participants will receive a $50 Tango e-gift card to the email address that has been provided. Participants can receive up to $150 in Tango e-gift cards (3 Health Fairs X $50) for participating in this study.

Is my participation voluntary, and can I withdraw?

It is your choice to participate or not to participate in this research. Participation is voluntary. If you decide to participate, you can stop at any time. Your decision whether to participate will not affect your relationship with the Tufts researchers and study team, or any of your work colleagues, supervisors or the Head Start organization. There are no consequences or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled if you do not participate. You have the right to choose not to participate in any study activity or completely withdraw from continued participation at any point in this study without any penalty/consequences/loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If your employment with ABCD Head Start ends during the study, you will be withdrawn from the study and no data additional data will be collected from you. If you withdraw or are withdrawn from the study, the data collected to the point of withdrawal may be used in this research and in ways detailed above.

Why are you taking a finger prick blood sample?

A finger prick takes approximately two drops of blood from each participant. We are measuring blood glucose and blood lipids (cholesterol) levels to see if there are any changes during the study for participants. We will share the results of the finger prick (your cholesterol and glucose levels) with you before you leave the Health Fair. The finger prick, along with all the measures at the Health Fair, is completely optional. you can choose to not participate in the finger prick and still be part of the study. All blood samples will be disposed of as hazardous materials and will not be retained by the research team.