Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107082

Jennifer Farnsworth, MPH, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Mailstop K-47, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-5094, jfarnsworth@cdc.gov and Karen Pilliod, MPH, Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Mailstop K-45, Atlanta, GA 30341.

Background: Heart disease and stroke are among the leading causes of death and disability. Decision makers in communities, health care systems, and workplaces have important and distinct roles, which when identified and acted upon, can collectively improve cardiovascular health. To support their activities, a list of policy related actions to promote heart-healthy and stroke-free communities was compiled. Objective: To translate scientific knowledge and evidence-based practices into action steps promoting policies that support heart disease and stroke prevention in the community. Methods: The action list was initiated by identifying effective interventions for preventing heart disease and stroke from state-based programs funded by CDC. Further information was solicited from divisions within CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. This collaborative effort resulted in a comprehensive list of actions based on scientific evidence, current national guidelines for effective programs, and state experiences. Results: The list contains ideas to help policymakers, employers, and health care leaders promote heart-healthy and stroke-free communities. Key strategies for each of these sectors revolve around five central themes: providing leadership; enacting policies and offering incentives; promoting coverage for and use of preventive services; improving health services and medical response; and ensuring adequate support for efforts. Conclusions: This list will help policymakers, employers, and health care leaders assess what actions are most likely to be effective in their communities. These community-level actions are critical for supporting the efforts of individuals to prevent, manage, and control their risks for heart disease and stroke.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Recognize the varied opportunites for policymakers, employers, and health care professionals to support heart disease and stroke prevention throughout communities.
• List at least 5 specific actions for decision makers to enact policies and provide leadership that support heart health.
• Discuss opportunites for public health professionals to collaborate with policymakers, employers, and health care professionals to assess what actions are most likely to be effective in their communities.

Keywords: Heart Disease, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation