Development of an ecologically- oriented cardiovascular disease prevention and control intervention in El Paso, Texas

The HEART Project (Health Education Awareness Team) is a two- stage 8 year NIH-funded community-based participatory research project aimed to address the high rates of cardiovascular disease and risk factors affecting Hispanics in El Paso, Texas. This presentation illustrates the multi-phasic iterative process employed during the development of the second stage of programming, entitled “Mi Corazon, Mi Comunidad” (My Heart My Community)(MICMIC), and elucidates a core curricular focus on behavioral change and environmental enhancement using an ecological approach. MICMIC development began with an inventory of related programs as well as physical and human resources at one YWCA branch location, two city recreation centers, one senior center, four city parks, and six elementary schools. All pertinent data were gathered via site visits, facility tours, and informal interviews with administrators, staff, and patrons. The second developmental phase was selection of the initial set of MICMIC programs categorized into two types: lifestyle education programs and environment enhancement programs. Each program type was categorized once again into two foci: 1) activities focusing on nutrition, and 2) activities focusing on physical activity. Finally, utilizing best practice methods, additional community health worker-led activities were added including 1) Charlas (coffee talks), 2) Heart-healthy cooking demonstrations, 3) Heart-healthy Grocery Shopping tours, 4) Latin Dance Aerobics in the Parks, 5) Family soccer games, 6) Family swim, and 7) Walking groups in city parks which emphasize peer support and the “buddy system”. Results of the pilot study and baseline measurement of a community phone survey will be showcased.