“Caminando y socializando con Happy Older Latinos are Active (HOLA)”: Results of a randomized clinical trial to promote health and prevent depression and anxiety in older Latinos

Authors: Daniel E Jimenez, Emily J Ross, Elliott R Weinstein, David Martinez Garza, Joseph F Signorile, Doris Perdomo-Johnson, Claudia Martinez

This study tested the HOLA program, a health promotion intervention for older Latinos at risk of depression or anxiety. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to either HOLA or a control group with psychoeducation. Most attended sessions and were highly satisfied. Results showed HOLA significantly reduced anxiety symptoms compared to the control group (60% vs. 27%). The study confirms HOLA’s effectiveness and shows that using community health workers can improve mental health care for older Latinos.