What needs to be included in ‘healthy heart' community programs? Programmatic recommendations from rural Hispanic immigrants

Addressing health disparities is one of two major public health goals according to Healthy People 2010. While disparity gaps are narrowing for most minority groups when compared to the majority population, they continue to grow for Hispanics. In particular, Hispanics, including those in rural areas, suffer a disproportionate burden of disease and associated risk factors for a number of chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Efforts to reduce CVD in this population might be informed if there were a better understanding of the current knowledge and perceptions of this disease and its risk factors. Such an effort is currently taking place through the CDC funded Cardiovascular Health Intervention Research and Translation Network. In Illinois, we recruited 64 Hispanic immigrants from five rural communities throughout the state to participate in focus groups using a standardized discussion guide. In this study we report on the suggested set of recommendations made by participants regarding ‘best' strategies for creating ‘healthy heart' community based programs for rural Hispanics. Programmatic strategies focused in three major areas including: 1) risk factors such as promoting healthy diets and physical activity; 2) programs focusing on specific groups such as families, children, men/women only; worksites and schools; and 3) key ingredients including provision of child care, health information workshops in Spanish, flexibility in scheduling and being friendly and interactive. These recommendations provide program planners with additional knowledge that should be incorporated into future program development efforts that address rural Hispanic CVD risk reduction that are culturally sensitive and responsive.