The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42291

Julia D. Portale, MPH/MBA, Kenneth S Babamoto, PharmD, MPH, Angela J Camilleri, MPH, MA, Jennifer Pitts, PhD, and Eileen Crowley. Community Health, Pfizer Health Solutions, 235 East 42nd Street (150/37/5), New York, NY 10017, 212-573-5601, portaj@pfizer.com

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for adults over 44 and chief cause of excess deaths in minority populations compared to whites. A key focus of the Healthy People 2010 goals is the reduction of preventable risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Faith-based programs that serve minority communities have a unique opportunity to partner with health providers to improve cardiovascular health outcomes and help meet Healthy People 2010 goals. In 2001, Jersey City was named the most international of all U.S. cities, with over 200 languages spoken by its residents. Immigrants often have little or no health insurance yet have complex health problems including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In part because churches reach populations otherwise lacking access to services, the Bon Secours and Canterbury Partnership for Care's Parish Nurse program, together with Pfizer Health Solutions, created a self-management program to help Latino patients manage hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and obesity. Using a survey of patient behavior and attitudes, including the use of spirituality in dealing with disease, a sample of patients from area physician practices is drawn from the program's computerized survey database, randomized into intervention and control groups, and followed for 12 months. The intervention group receives specifically tailored programs based on self-reported stage of change, health promoter support, and regular medical care. Changes in behavior, laboratory results, use of spirituality in self-management, and quality of life outcomes will be presented. The use of community health promoters trained and supervised by Parish Nurses will also be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the complexity of managing multiple disease conditions in non-English speaking immigrant communities
• Articulate the dynamics between physicians, health promoters, and parish nursing practice
• Apply technology and research methodology to faith based programs to better understand the nature of clinical improvement and the role of spirituality in willingness to engage in behavior change.

Keywords: Outcome Measures, Faith Community

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Pfizer Health Solutions provided funding and staff expertise to implement this project.