CHWs/Promotores de Salud and CVD Risk Prevention in Colorado. We know is evidence-based, it is a cool and fun community engagement process. Here is a bit more evidence (plus the headaches)

Cardiovascular (CVD)disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States and is particularly devastating to vulnerable and minority populations. Latinos (25% of Coloradans have a greater prevalence of modifiable risk factors, but are less likely to receive blood pressure and cholesterol screening, participate prevention programs. These disparities leave this population particularly vulnerable to cardiovascular events and underscore the importance of delivering culturally and linguistically appropriate prevention programs to a Latino population growing at a rate three times that of non-Latinos. Community Health Workers/Promotores de Salud-led education programs covers this gap. In partnership with the Colorado Prevention Center developed Community Heart Health Actions for Senior Latinos at Risk (CHARLAR). CHARLAR brings to older adult Latinos in NW Denver access to culturally tailored evidence-based education which facilitates the adoption of heart healthy behaviors and improvement of risk factor profiles associated with CV disease. Participants receive pre-post CVD and diabetes screening, 12 weeks of promotores-led education, facilitation into local medical clinics and weekly walking groups. The data available of 600 participants enrolled, 55% completed at least 8 sessions of the 12 week program. We observed a mean decrease (95%CI) in the following: total cholesterol 11.5 mg/dl (3.0 - 19.9); systolic blood pressure 4.1 mm/Hg, (0.7 – 7.5); weight 4.0 lbs. (-1.0 - 9.0). Participants that finished the program (at risk) have shown an improvement on: Diabetes 18.9%, hyperlipidemia: 41.2, hypertension: 58.1%, exercise (120min/wk):57.8% The program is ongoing today and this year we will graduate our 8th class reaching 800 participants.