The Sharing History through Active Reminiscence and Photo-imagery (SHARP) walking program is a research study for African Americans aged 55 or older (Oregon Health & Science University IRB#16980). Raina Croff, PhD is the Principal Investigator. SHARP participants will engage in community memory building while walking through historically Black neighborhoods in North and Northeast Portland. Participants will view images of African American community in Portland from 1940 to 2010, and engage in small-group conversation about what it was like to live and work in those communities as they walk through those communities.

The study explores the role that community memory plays in promoting individual health and in sustaining motivation to remain physically active. Qualitative data have shown African Americans have a lower perceived risk of Alzheimer’s disease despite their elevated risk. Programs promoting healthy activities for healthier aging may be more effective if they are culturally meaningful to participants.

If you would like to join the SHARP walking program and/or would like our staff to make a digital copy of your family images for use in the SHARP program, contact Raina Croff at croff@ohsu.edu or 503-494-2367. The SHARP study is funded by the Alzheimer’s Association.

By Raina Croff