The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

3060.0: Monday, November 11, 2002 - Board 9

Abstract #37089

Rural African-American Faith Community Can Help Adults Change Cardiovascular Behaviors

Mary S. Sutherland, Curriculum and Instruction, Florida State University, 209 MCH, Tallahassee, FL 32306, 850 644 2122, msutherl@garnet.acns.fsu.edu and Gregory J. Harris, MASS, Health Promotion Program Initiatives, Inc., Health Promotion Program Initiatives, Inc., 2639 N. Monroe Street, Suite 118B, Tallahassee, FL 32303.

This nineteen month African-American, cardiovascular project is designed to decrease ethnic disparities. The community was: mobilized and resources coordinated to support effective/sustainable African-American programs addressing illness (strokes, cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, weight monitoring, and high blood pressure); learn of unhealthy lifestyles (coordinated public relations campaigns); educate/participate in screening (blood pressure, weight); community activities (awareness; alternatives; informational; educational; individual, family, and intergenerational; environmental;); increase culturally sensitive activities (community, church-based, or beauty shop) and examine data/make appropriate adjustments. Strategies included church committee implemented/evaluated church-community programs; beauty shop activities; or activities at places people gather. The Cardiovascular Faith Program was modified from a Promising Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Faith Prevention Program that has been ongoing for ten years.

The presentation shares six-month Faith Community successful church committee processes and data (N=10 churches or N=376 pre and post). Exercise (exercise to church music), Nutritional Practices (Cooking classes), Tobacco prevention activities, Stress Management groups, Blood Pressure and Weight Screening, Referral, Follow-Up; Special Church Holidays related to Cardiovascular Health, Achievement/Recognition; Intergenerational; Community Awareness; Data Collection, pre/post surveys, monthly activity reports, vital statistics were the major activities. Significant adult behavioral changes (at either .001, .01, or 05 levels) included: participation in leisure time activities, exercise daily, and 30 minutes daily of moderate physical activity; consumer two daily servings of fruits and vegetables and avoid foods high in fats; maintain a normal cholesterol level and had it checked within the last five years; and friends do well at work.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Faith Community, Health Promotion

Related Web page: none

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Jackson County Florida African-American Churches
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.

Meeting the Public Health Education Needs of Diverse Communities

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA