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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Karen E. Peters, DrPH¹, William Baldyga, DrPH², Sunanda Gupta, MD MPH², and Julie Harvill, MPA, MPH³. (1) National Center for Rural Health Professions, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, 1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, IL 61107, 815-395-5906, kpeters@uic.edu, (2) IHRP, IL Prevention Research Center, University of Illinois, 1747 W. Roosevelt, Chicago, IL 60608, (3) IL Department of Public Health, 525 W. Jefferson, Springfield, IL 62761

The prevention of heart disease and stroke remains a major public health issue. Programming efforts directed at the prevention, treatment and control of cardiovascular disease at the local health department level is one strategy to address this concern. A cross sectional survey, using a web-based instrument, was conducted to assess the current state of practice, policy, plans and needs related to heart disease and stroke prevention among all local (county based) health departments in a state. The survey tool consisted of sections on local health department characteristics, control of high blood pressure and cholesterol, knowledge of the signs and symptoms heart attack and stroke, emergency response capacity, quality of care issues, health disparity, training needs and use of epidemiologic data. The survey was deployed over a three month course and a response rate of 100% was achieved. Findings indicate local health departments have: widespread but varied collaborative relationships with both health related and community based partners in both the public and private sectors; low utilization of guidelines (<20%); high rates of screening for blood pressure (>90%) and cholesterol (>70%); and, moderate access to AEDs (41%). Significant gaps identified include lack of funding and additional training and data needs. Policy interventions such as increasing public awareness about cardiovascular disease prevention, treatment and control as well as outreach to community based organizations were suggested by the local health department respondents.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify the components of heart disease and stoke prevention programs currently being implemented in local health departments
• List the types of collaborative relationships that local health departments have with their communities with regard cardiovascular disease prevention and control
• Discuss the gaps related to funding, training and data needs that local health departments have concerning heart disease and stroke prevention programming

Keywords: Heart Disease, Practice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation