Recorded presentation

Amy D. Cober, BS RD LD, Highlands County Health Dept. WIC & Nutrition Services, Florida Dept. of Health, 7205 S. George Blvd., Sebring, FL 33875, 863-386-6040X217, amy_cober@doh.state.fl.us

Purpose of the Program: To share the planning, implementation and evaluation activities of a successful community based prevention project designed to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in morbidity and mortality rates relating to cardiovascular disease.

Setting: The Highlands County Health Department, with the support of the Florida Dept of Health, Office of Minority Health and the Highlands County Hospital District conducted a chronic disease prevention project in Highlands County, FL from 12/00-6/03. A diverse group of local Community Partners guided the development of the project.

Interventions: Blood pressure and cholesterol screenings with referrals for health care services and periodic individual follow-up, as well as individual and group education were utilized within the framework of a policy, environmental and educational work plan. Extensive local media interventions included news articles, radio and television programming, cinema and radio PSA’s and an original newsletter.

Outcomes: Of the 3887 minority residents screened in the course of 183 community based screening events, 1339 of the individuals were found to have abnormal screening values and were referred for health care. Follow up by telephone revealed that 74.6% of those contacted had pursued further medical evaluation within three months of screening. The 114 educational programs reached audiences totaling 2265 minority residents who experienced a 31% average increase in knowledge.

Conclusions: This 31 month project exceeded all screening, educational and media goals, gained community support via in- kind contributions, developed lasting community partnerships and made a difference in the lives of Highlands County residents.

Learning Objectives: