Recorded presentation

Mary Anne Shepherd, RN, BSN, FNP-C, Ellaville Primary Medicine Center, P. O. Box 65, Ellaville, GA 31806, 229-937-5321, mshepherd@sumterregional.org and Sandra Daniel, PhD, RN, School of Nursing, Georgia Southwestern State University, 800 Wheatley St, Americus, GA 31709.

Program Description: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for nearly 40% of all deaths. Geographically, CVD mortality is higher in southern states. Rates of modifiable risk factors for CVD (obesity, diabetes, inactivity, cigarette smoking) are higher among Georgians, particularly minority populations. The Healthy Hearts cardiovascular risk reduction program aimed to minimize modifiable risk factors for CVD in a culturally diverse rural community through community-academic partnerships. Federally funded and implemented in 2000, the program objectives were to: (1) provide screening, treatment, and CVD prevention education to industry employees, school children, and farmworkers through outreach; and (2) demonstrate measurable and sustained change in modifiable risk factors. Healthy Hearts was identified as a model for practice in Rural Healthy People 2010. Method: CVD screening, follow-up and prevention education were provided to a total of 3387 participants including: (a) elementary, junior, and high-school students; (b) industry employees; and (c) farmworkers and their families. Findings/Discussion: Adults (n=2390): Univariate analysis found high rates of smoking (29%), physical inactivity (75%), prehypertensive (33%), hypertension (29%); obesity (36%); overweight (33%); and elevated cholesterol (42%). Children (n=997): Univariate analysis found high rates of elevated systolic BP (13%), elevated diastolic BP (15%); obesity (20%); and overweight (15%). Behavior change analysis is currently underway. Preliminary analysis of behavior change among employees in one industry (n=59) indicated healthier eating (58%), weight loss (39%), increased physical activity (76%), lowered cholesterol (53%), lower BP (49%), smoking cessation (61%), and controlled blood sugar (51%). Inferential statistical analysis is underway.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss high rates of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the U.S., Georgia, and Schley County.
• Recognize the need for effective population-based cardiovascular disease risk reduction strategies.
• Describe the Healthy Hearts cardiovascular risk reduction model practice community-academic partnership to identify and reduce modifiable risk factors for heart disease in a rural southwest Georgia community.
• Evaluate findings of risk assessment data for adults and school-aged children.
• Evaluate findings of behavior change following assessment, health education and follow-up activities.
• Discuss recommendations for further population-based interventions and research.

Keywords: Community Health Programs,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Recorded presentation