Health education interventions for cardiovascular risk reduction in low-income women age 40-64 in West Virginia WISEWOMAN

Women in West Virginia have the second highest cardiovascular disease rate in the nation with the mortality rate15% higher nationally. West Virginia WISEWOMAN is designed to reduce cardiovascular risk for low-income women aged 40-64 through implementation of health education interventions specifically developed for this Appalachian population and informed by Social Cognitive Theory, the Health Belief Model, and the Transtheoretical Model. Three health behaviors are primary targets: vegetable/fruit intake; dietary fat intake; level of physical activity. Secondary outcomes include: cholesterol level, BMI, and blood pressure. The study uses an experimental two group research design with the unit of analysis the clinical site. Twelve clinical sites in the northern and southern counties of West Virginia are participating. All participants are personally interviewed with a health risk and behavioral survey and receive clinical assessment of HDL and cholesterol, glucose, BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure at baseline and 12 month follow-up. Participants in the intervention group view Cookin' Up Health, a WEB and computer-based interactive nutrition program, receive stage-based tailored print health communications targeting healthy eating and physical activity, and are given pedometers to encourage walking. Baseline data from the health risk survey and clinical assessment of 700 participants show high rates of overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, putting participants at increased risk for cardiovascular and other chronic disease. Culturally targeted and individually tailored health education interventions were designed to help reduce this risk.