Details:

Alternative Title:
Prev Chronic Dis
Personal Author:
Balcázar, Héctor G. ; de Heer, Hendrik ; Rosenthal, Lee ; Duarte, Maria O. ; Aguirre, Melissa ; ... More +
Balcázar, Héctor G. ; de Heer, Hendrik ; Rosenthal, Lee ; Duarte, Maria O. ; Aguirre, Melissa ; Flores, Leticia ; Puentes, Flor A. ; Ortiz, Melchor ; Cardenas, Victor M. ; Schulz, Leslie O. ; Less -
Description:
Introduction The high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Hispanic population of the United States, together with low rates of health insurance coverage, suggest a potential cardiovascular health crisis. The objective of Project HEART (Health Education Awareness Research Team) was to promote behavior changes to decrease CVD risk factors in a high-risk Hispanic border population. Methods Project HEART took place from 2005 through 2008 as a randomized community trial with a community-based participatory research framework using promotores de salud (community health workers). A total of 328 participants with at least 1 CVD risk factor were selected by randomizing 10 US Census tracts in El Paso, Texas, to either the experimental or the control group. The experimental group (n = 192) was assigned to a series of 8 health classes using the Su Corazón, Su Vida curriculum. After 2 months of educational sessions, the group was followed for 2 months. The control group (n = 136) was given basic educational materials at baseline, and no other intervention was used. Main outcomes of interest included changes in health behaviors and clinical measures. Results Participants in the experimental group showed more awareness of CVD risk factors, more confidence in the control of these factors, and improved dietary habits (ie, lower salt and cholesterol intake, better weight-control practices) compared with the control group. Total cholesterol was 3% lower in the experimental than in the control participants, and non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were both 5% lower. Conclusion The HEART trial suggests that community health education using promotores de salud is a viable strategy for CVD risk reduction in a Hispanic border community.
Subject:
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Cardiovascular Diseases
Community Health Services
Community Health Workers
Female
Health Education
Health Promotion
Hispanic Americans
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Original Research
Prevalence
Public Health
Risk Factors
Texas
Time Factors

Source:
Prev Chronic Dis. 7(2). ;
Document Type:
Journal Article ;
Collection(s):
Preventing Chronic Disease
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:6ad89df2c1f39b8d2078061cc18fcd3b6d0c6fc810bbf4afe70234a0e25d5c33
File Type:

Supporting Files

• 	license.txt	txt
  	PCD72A28.nxml	txt

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