In December 1995, the Mid-Michigan District Health Department formed the Gratiot Community Health Committee (GCHC) to assess and improve the health of the citizens. Because heart disease is a major health problem in this rural community, (age-adjusted death rates for heart disease in 1998 were 126.0, 137.9, and 155.0 per 100,000 in the U.S., Michigan, and Gratiot County, respectively) a community wide health plan was developed. To specifically target youth in heart disease education, a community/school-based project was initiated. Since May 1997, local college students have conducted “Heart Health Fairs” for 6th grade students in all eight of the county school districts. At the Heart Health Fairs, the college students provide heart health education to the school children. In addition, risk factor data on cigarette smoking, obesity, blood pressure, physical activity, and physical fitness is collected. Based on NHANES I reference data, the four year trend shows that 17% of males and 13% of females were at or above the 90th percentile of body mass index (85th percentile is defined as obesity.) Furthermore, for those students in the 76th-100th quartile of body mass index, exercise heart rates and systolic blood pressures were significantly higher then those of students in the lower quartiles. In rural Gratiot County, heart health awareness in the schools is critical for these children. Long term goals of the project are to maintain an on-going database for Health Department assessments and interventions.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the learner of this session will be able to: 1. Identify the importance of assessing health needs in local communities. 2. Recognize the necessity of health education for youth in school-based programs.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Heart Disease
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.