Overview : The programs are developed to aid consumers in understanding that heart disease is preventable, and heart healthy practices are important for longevity. This program has made measurable differences in our previous years, including legislation leading to health care reform. In one city, a participant shared with us that we saved their life through this ‘new’ information.

Program Objectives :

• Increase patient awareness of the high prevalence of CVD, CHD, and their risk factors, including cholesterol.
• Improve strategies for identifying high risk patients; and
• Emphasize the importance of effective risk factor modification.

1. The Community Leaders Forum is structured to :

• Engage community leaders in the planning, implementation and execution of a community ‘call to action’;
• Discuss local incidence and prevalence;
• Identify resources; develop partnerships; and
• Suggest sustainable action plans.

This forum provides a unique opportunity to educate, empower, and mobilize influential members of the community around the issues of cardiovascular health and access to care. The Forum will consist of a 2.5 hour dinner presentation and discussion. Commonly asked questions and answers will be documented for broader dissemination. There will be presentations from policy, community, and spiritual communities on cardiovascular disease prevention and health advocacy with a call to action. Invited guests will be challenged to promote health as an advocate, support the other educational activities associated with the program, identify appropriate venues, other partners, including the faith-based education program.

2. The Patient Education Event/Heart Health Risk Assessment Activity will include FREE testing for:

• Blood pressure,
• Non-fasting glucose,
• Body Mass Index (BMI), and
• Cholesterol levels, including LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.

The Patient Education Event/Heart Health Risk Assessment Activity is the centerpiece of the Spirit of the Heart Initiative. This activity provides for patients referrals to and follow-up opportunities with healthcare providers. A full body of knowledge exists demonstrating that these programs can improve the quality of health, save money in terms of increased worker productivity, and affect morbidity and mortality. For patients and consumers of health services, these activities can improve the quality of life while adding to more productivity that can garner improved resources.

This one-day cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment and heart education day will convene preferably on a Saturday in an easily accessible, central location. In addition to the risk assessment, follow-up counseling for out of normal range participants will also be available. Additional counseling may include nutrition and medication compliance counseling. The ABC 7 Steps to a Healthy Heart information will be provided to all participants and may be included as focus areas during counseling.
7 Steps to a Healthy Heart :

• Be Spiritually Active
• Take Charge of Your Blood Pressure
• Control Your Cholesterol
• Track Your Blood Sugar and Maintain Ideal Weight
• Enjoy Regular Exercise, Follow a Sensible Diet and Get a Good Night’s Sleep
• Don’t Smoke
• Access Better Healthcare, Get a Check Up and Faithfully Take Your Medication


3. Messages from the Pulpit further enhances this program series. The Spirit of the Heart Initiative culminates with mini health messages (a scripted presentation by a local physician, other healthcare provider, or community health advocate) at participating faith-based sites. This activity:

• Provides ‘pulpit’ information to congregations by healthcare professionals around lifestyle and behavior modification, nutrition, and healthcare seeking tips;
• Has a consistently captive audience; and
• Allows for on-going presentation of information about CVD and its related risk factors.

The presentations reflect the ABC 7 Steps to a Healthy Heart. Members of the congregation receive educational materials on lifestyle behaviors that promote cardiovascular health. A script will be developed for those members who speak in churches with options for a weekly bulletin/email blast message for delivery to each of the parishioners through one or both of these messaging vehicles. The local program chair and planning committee will identify local worship sites, facilitate the coordination with the site representative, identify/recruit health messengers, as well as develop and coordinate the appropriate messages for church bulletin or email message blasts for the nine-week messaging period.

Past Events

Washington, DC - Aug 2010 View Photos
New York, NY - July 2012 View Photos
Houston, Texas - Sept 2012
Philadelphia, PA - Nov 2013
Brooklyn, NY - Dec 2013


 

This event is made possible through the generous support of Novartis and the Ebenezer 7th Day Adventist Church

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