APHA
Back to Annual Meeting Page
 
American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3163.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 4

Abstract #115797

Black women's health is imperative: Community lifeguards of women's health

Lorraine Cole, PhD, Reach 2010, Black Women's Health Imperative, 600 Pennslyvania Ave S E Suite 310, Washington, DC 20003, Christi Stewart, MPH, Wellness Resource Navigator, Black Women's Health Imperative; REACH 2010: At the Heart of New Orleans, 1515 Poydras Street, Suite 1020, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504.680.2810, christis@nbwhp.org, and Sylvia Denson, BSN, Self Help Coordinator, REACH 2010, 1515 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70112.

Heart disease is the number one killer of African American women. Cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of half a million women each year, about a death per minute. REACH 2010 @ the Heart of New Orleans is a 3 year research CVD intervention study targeting African American women in underserved communities to reduce their CVD risk factors. Using the AHA guide for improving cardiovascular health at the community level, the Logic Model, and Prochaska's theory, collaborative partnership strategies to promote and measure heart healthy behavior were established and evaluated to determine what works best in African American faith based environments. 40 churches were randomized in a quasi-experimental research design to deliver doses of intervention to 1200 African American women. Interventions tested included heart health education, physical activity and nutrition along with Walking for Wellness and Self-help groups. A Community Health Assessment Survey, the primary tool for measuring the impact of interventions on individual women's behavior revealed that over 70% of study participants were overweight, yet more aware of their family history of CVD risk factors then they were of their own susceptibility to heart disease. Innovative strategies that empower AA to take charge of their health and navigate the health care delivery system will be presented. A detailed description of the 3 R's of Healthy Community Education. The 3 R's are, Resources, Referrals for Risk Management of CVD and Reminders from community leaders that are solution focused and based on clinical guidelines for women's health.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Advocacy, Women's Health

Related Web page: www.blackwomenshealth.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Critical Issues in Women's Health: A Multicultural Perspective

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA