4224.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 3:10 PM

Abstract #15153

Translation of "REACT" to Help Communities Respond to Heart Attacks

Mary M. Hand, RN, MSPH and Terry Long. Office of Prevention, Education, and Control, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2480, Buidling 31, Room 4A-16, Bethesda, MD 20892-2480, (301) 496-1051, Handm@nhlbi.nih.gov

Based on results from a community-wide intervention research study to reduce delay time in seeking care for individuals with heart attack symptoms, a variety of educational materials were developed for health care providers, patients, and the public. The study involved ten intervention and ten control communities. This study was part of NHLBI's REACT research program. The NHLBI's National Heart Attack Alert Program (NHAAP) is using the results of this research to design its public education and outreach efforts. With the results of the study having been reported, the NHAAP has been systematically working to transfer the lessons learned from REACT to communities nationwide. Each year in the United States, about 1.1 million persons experience a heart attack. About 500,000 people died from heart attacks each year--about 51 percent are men and 49 percent are women. More than half of these deaths occurred suddenly, within 1 hour of symptom onset, outside the hospital setting. The NHAAP will focus strategic efforts on reducing the impact of heart attacks, particularly in high-risk communities.

The purpose of this presentation is to: 1) share some of the lessons learned from the REACT research project, 2) describe initial recommendations for patient and public education, 3) describe program efforts to review and assess materials and products, and finally, 4) share how the NHAAP is working with performance partners to plan specific performance projects and strategies to reach high-risk communities.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to: 1) Describe the process for planning a national translation of educational materails developed in a community-wide intervention to reduce delay time for individuals with a possible heart attack, 2) Explain the relationship of the intervention materials developed for REACT to the NHAAP's plans for public, patient, and provider education, and 3) State two lessons learned from REACT as well as describe partnerships to address REACT activities in high-risk communities

Keywords: Heart Disease, Access to Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute--NIH
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA