Background: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now funds 25 State Health Departments to carry out cardiovascular health (CVH) programs focused on community-level interventions that support heart-healthy lifestyles. These States have asked for guidance in making a transition to more population-based public health programming and policy development for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Objectives: Since 1998, CDC convened workshops and working groups to identify specific policy and environmental indicators that relate to physical activity, nutrition, tobacco control, and cardiovascular health that CVH-funded States can collect and track in their State and communities. Methods: Policy and environmental indicators for cardiovascular health were collected and prioritized from a variety of sources including: 1) CDC’s handbook “Evaluating Community Efforts to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease”, 2) studies published in scientific journals, 3) CDC’s School Health Guidelines and Index, 4) materials from Canada’s Heart Healthy Program, 5) instruments such as HeartCheck that assesses workplace support for heart healthy lifestyles, 6) the American Heart Association Guide for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, and 7) suggestions from staff at various State Health Departments and the CDC. Results: A menu of policy and environmental CVH indicators and highlights of several State’s experiences will be presented. Examples include work sites having heart-healthy food and beverage choices in cafeterias; counties with clean indoor air ordinances that prohibit smoking in public places; school policies that require daily physical education for all students; and managed care plans that provide counseling for physical activity, medical nutrition therapy, and tobacco cessation for members. See www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/cvd/index.htm
Learning Objectives: As a result of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Discuss the rationale for using an ecological model that includes policy and environmental interventions to promote cardiovascular health. 2. List three community level indicators for physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco control for improving cardiovascular health. 3. Describe some of the lessons learned from State Health Departments that are funded to implement these types of community level indicators.
Keywords: Policy/Policy Development, Indicators
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.