205531 Texas Healthy Lifestyles: An evidence-based approach to improving health outcomes in a senior population

Monday, November 9, 2009

Camerino I. Salazar, MS , Department of Outcomes and Evaluation, University Center for Community Health/Texas Diabetes Institute, San Antonio, TX
Marcia G. Ory, PhD, MPH , Social & Behavioral Health, Texas A&M HSC School of Rural Public Health, College Station, TX
Daphne Fulton, MPH , Social and Behavioral Health, Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health, College Station, TX
Adriana G. Perez , Department of Outcomes and Evaluation, University Center for Community Health/Texas Diabetes Institute, San Antonio, QC
Background: Chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes remain the leading causes of death in the United States. Each year chronic diseases claim the lives of 1.7 million Americans and account for 70% of all mortality. The burden of chronic disease is especially felt by persons 65 and older with at least 80% of older Americans expressing a chronic condition. In Texas pronounced demographic shifts in the population of older adults (184% projected increase in persons 65 and older) carry with it a substantial increase morbidity and mortality associated with obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Objectives: This session will report on efforts of the State of Texas, through the Department of Aging and Disability Services and Department of State Health Services, to expand regional public/private evidence-based health promotion to help seniors take control of their lives and reduce the risk of disease and disability. Activities in Bexar county, a large urban area, and the Brazos Valley, a more rural area will be highlighted.

Methods: RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) a program decision-making framework was utilized to programmatically guide the development, implementation and evaluation.

Results: To date 424 participants have been enrolled in 45 chronic disease self management program (CDSMP) classes across Texas, with 688 participants projected over a three year period. Capacity is building in Texas with 16 master trainers and nearly 50 lay leaders. Challenges, lessons learned and recommendations for conducting outreach and recruitment among older adults in both urban and rural communities will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the role of RE-AIM; a program decision-making framework as a tool to document implementation and fidelity of an evidence-based chronic disease self management program. Analyze and present outcomes of an evidence-based initiative that addresses chronic disease self-management for seniors Discuss programmatic results and strategies associated with recruiting at-risk populations to participate in health promotion activities in the areas of chronic disease.

Keywords: Aging, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Currently I am Director of Clinical Outcomes and Program Evaluation at University Center for Community Health/TDI. In my position I oversee the programmatic evaluation and reporting of outcomes associated with interventions targeting chronic disease among at-risk populations. I currently hold a Master of Science in Sociology and worked within the area of health services research and public health for the past decade - as a site evaluator for this project I have been working with the academic institution involved to more effectively implement and evaluation a community based intervention aimed at older adults.
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: Physical Activity and Successful Aging
See more of: Gerontological Health