218215 Para un corazón saludable: Atherosclerosis and heart health education sessions

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 5:30 PM - 5:45 PM

Edgar Gil, MBA , Center for Science and Policy, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, Washington, DC
     
Since 2006, National Alliance for Hispanic Health launched the National Heart Health Community Education Program to bring health education information and heart health screenings to Hispanic communities in the US. The campaign was conducted to improve awareness and understanding of heart disease risk factors, including taking action against Atherosclerosis, among Hispanics. A study published in JAMA found that 2 out of 3 Americans will have some degree of plaque buildup in their arteries before the age of 35. This demonstrates the importance of educating the Hispanic community about atherosclerosis since without timely diagnosis progression of this disease cannot be halted and the consequences can include heart attack or stroke. This community-based effort provided heart health education to more than 2,000 people in Hispanic communities, and made heart health screenings accessible in 9 cities. The results show that only half (49%) of persons who completed the Pre-Test knew what atherosclerosis is, one out of five (22%) people did not know that atherosclerosis can lead to a stoke or a heart attack; and, about two-thirds of participants (63%) could not list three risk factors that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Post-Test results demonstrated an increase in knowledge about atherosclerosis: (87%) could define atherosclerosis as a chronic buildup of plaque, or hardening of the arteries, most (67%) people answered that atherosclerosis can lead to stroke and heart attack if uncontrolled; and more than half (57%) of the persons could list at least three risk factors that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the approach of the campaign and the results from the pre- and post-tests completed by participants. 2. Describe the top three risk factors that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, identified by participants after attending the Athero workshops.

Keywords: Heart Disease, Hispanic

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have 10 years of experience in project management in the community development arena. For the last four years, I have been working with the Alliance, the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for Hispanic health and well-being, on numerous programs related to the provision of adequate health care for the Hispanic Community across the United States. I presently serve as Senior Health Program Manager overseeing Hispanic outreach initiatives on: Cardiovascular Health, Physical Activity, Environmental Health, Arthritis, and Depression. I also serve on numerous advisory committees on health, workforce, and business development.
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.

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