The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59437

Susan Lockhart, PhD, CHES and Lois Voelker, MBA. Cardiovascular Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, MS K-47, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, 770-488-8430, sjl5@cdc.gov

Since 1998 the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) has been building a national, state-based program for primary and secondary prevention of heart disease and stroke, which are the nation’s first and third leading causes of death. CDC now funds heart disease and stroke prevention programs in 29 states and the District of Columbia. These 30 programs are working to increase capacity to implement population-based interventions that address heart disease, stroke, and related risk factors (i.e.; high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition). The programs are focusing on heart-healthy policies and environmental supports in four public health practice settings – health care, work site, schools, and communities. To succeed, program staff and their partners must be able to effectively communicate the need and rationale for systems changes to a broad range of policy and decision makers and stakeholders. This presentation will summarize the research results and will showcase the tools that were developed and the resources that were identified through a project that assisted the states in communicating for policy and environmental changes. Lessons of interest to communication specialists in multiple public health and chronic disease areas will be shared, along with examples of communication plans and approaches developed by the state heart disease and stroke prevention programs.

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to explain the role of communication in generating support for policy and environmental changes among key policy and decision makers and stakeholders, and to apply criteria for selecting the best communication strategies to use for specific program interventions.

Keywords: Health Communications, Heart Disease

Related Web page: www.cdc.gov/cvh

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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.