233263 Using Horticulture and diet modification to Decrease Risk Factors for Stroke in the Guyanese Population

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Narissa Puran, MS, MPH , Global MPH Program, New York University, New York, NY
Francesca Gany, MD , Department of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Intensifying epidemics of non-communicable diseases (NCD) of hypertension,and cerebrovascular disease are occurring in many low and middle income countries (LIMC) such as the South American nation of Guyana. Stroke is a debilitating outcome of hypertension. Rehabilitation and treatment can create a significant financial burden on LIMC. An estimated 87% of stroke-related mortality occurs in LIMC. Guyana has one of the highest mortality rates (64.4/100,000 deaths) related to hypertension (a risk factor for stroke) in the Caribbean. The Guyana MOH National Health Statistic Survey (2006), ranked cerebrovascular disease as the second leading cause of death in Guyana, surpassing cancer and a range of infectious diseases. This project proposes a 4 phase randomized trial to examine how horticulture and nutrition classes can be used as an intervention to decrease the risk of stroke in pre-hypertensive study participants in Guyana. Qualitative Methods include focus groups in both arms of the study at the beginning of each phase. The intervention includes horticulture classes (gardening/exercise), and provision of fresh fruits and vegetables to the experimental arm of the trial. Participants will have blood pressure, caratenoid and β-cryptoxanthin levels monitored monthly in addition to administration of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to see how the intervention impacts participants' health status. This intervention will also help to develop effective interventions for Guyanese immigrants in the United States, which have very similar health and eating habits as native Guyanese.

Learning Objectives:
To estimate the burden of pre-hypertension in urban populations. To identify why urbanized areas of low and middle income countries (LIMC) have higher risk for stroke and other non-communicable disease. To discuss why non-communicable diseases have surpassed other leading causes of death in Guyana and are outgrowing other epidemics in the country including HIV/AIDS

Keywords: Hypertension, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I worked on this project for a class in Global Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology. As cerebrovascular disease is a growing issue in Guyana, I tried to develop a nutrition/exercise randomized trial under the guidance of my professors. This intervention would target those at risk for cerebrovascular disease such as pre-hypertensive individuals.
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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