183266 Decreasing Chronic Disease in Kentucky: The HEEL Program

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 2:30 PM

Peggy Riley, MSN, RN , College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Purpose: The purpose of this abstract is to describe the collaboration between the College of Nursing and the HEEL Program work to decrease chronic disease in Kentucky. Background: Kentucky has the 3rd highest age adjusted rate of heart disease in the country. Directly contributing to heart disease is smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition. Prevention of these debilitating and often fatal chronic diseases is a primary goal of the College of Nursing and the HEEL Program. Kentucky is 42% rural. In some areas of the state it may take hours to get to the nearest healthcare facility or doctor. Access to health promotion and prevention may be limited in those areas as well.

Method: Building upon the land grant model for education and outreach the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Academic Health Centers located on campus, initiated the HEEL Program. Extension Health Specialists hold shared positions between the HEEL Program and their respective Academic Health College to produce preventive health education and promotion programming for the County Extension Agents to deliver in their communities. Programming addresses chronic disease, substance abuse, oral health, medication safety, and social issues.

Discussion: Impact statements from agents across the state have indicated an increase of knowledge on health issues by program participants as well as lifestyle changes to decrease disease, disability, and injury.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the collaboration between the College of Nursing and the HEEL Program. 2. Describe how the collaboration works to decrease chronic disease. 3. Describe how the HEEL Program provides access to health education and health promotion.

Keywords: Chronic Diseases, Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I work in the capacity as an Extension Health Specialist for Nursing to the HEEL Program.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Chronic Disease Management
See more of: Public Health Nursing