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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Gregory J. Harris, MASS, Health Promotion Program Initiatives, Inc., Health Promotion Program Initiatives, Inc., 2639 N. Monroe Street, Suite 118B, Tallahassee, FL 32303 and Mary S. Sutherland, Ed D MPH, Curriculum and Instruction, Florida State University, 209 MCH, Tallahassee, FL 32306, 850 644 2122, gjharris@ureach.com.
This nineteen month African-American, cardiovascular project is designed to decrease ethnic disparities. The community was: mobilized and resources coordinated to support effective/sustainable African-American programs addressing illness (strokes, cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, weight monitoring, and high blood pressure); learn of unhealthy lifestyles (coordinated public relations campaigns); educate/participate in screening (blood pressure, weight); community activities (awareness; alternatives; informational; educational; individual, family, and intergenerational; environmental;); increase culturally sensitive activities (community, church-based, or beauty shop) and examine data/make appropriate adjustments. Strategies included church committee implemented/evaluated church-community programs; beauty shop activities; or activities at places people gather. The Cardiovascular Faith Program was modified from a Promising Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Faith Prevention Program that has been ongoing for ten years.
The presentation shares six-month Faith Community successful church committee processes and data (N=10 churches or N=200 pre/post). Exercise (exercise to church music), Nutritional Practices (Cooking classes), Tobacco prevention activities, Stress Management groups, Blood Pressure and Weight Screening/Referral/Follow-up; Special Church Holidays related to Cardiovascular Health, Achievement/Recognition; Intergenerational; Community Awareness; Data Collection, pre/post surveys, monthly activity reports, vital statistics were the major activities. Significant youth (ages 7-18) 6-month changes (.0001,01, or .05 levels) were found for: blood pressure and cholesterol checks, eating patterns (daily breakfast, salt, fat, sugar, fast foods), healthy behaviors (seatbelt, cholesterol, healthy weight, alcohol, fun activities, exercise,), friend’s behaviors (discuss problems, respect ideas, do well at school, trust friends, say No to Drugs, fun activities, stay home at regular times).
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Faith Community, Adolescent Health
Related Web page: none
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Jackson County youth participating in a cardiovascular faith program conducted by selected African-American churches
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.