The Washington Heights-Inwood healthy heart program: A 6-year report from a disadvantaged urban setting

Author(s): Basch, C. E., Wechsler, H., Lantigua, R.

Journal/Book: Am J Public Health. 1996; 86: 1015 Fifteenth St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Amer Public Health Assn Inc. 166-171.

Abstract: Objectives. This report summarizes 6 years of experience in a large community-based cardiovascular disease prevention program in a predominately minority, urban setting. Methods. The program seeks to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in an area of approximately 240 000 people in New York, NY; this population includes many Latino immigrants of low educational attainment and socioeconomic status. All program materials were in Spanish and English and at a low literacy level. Results. Major elements that achieved high levels of reach and support were a marketing campaign promoting low-fat milk, exercise clubs, and a Spanish-language smoking cessation video. Program elements that did not meet expectations or were abandoned were school-based smoking prevention initiatives, cholesterol screening, and efforts to involve local physicians. At the end of 6 years, the program was transferred to a local community organization. Conclusions. Conclusions are that it is feasible to implement a complex cardiovascular disease prevention program in a socially disadvantaged urban community; that additional evaluation research is needed; that such programs can be transferred from an academic center to a community organization; and that such programs are unlikely to be sustained effectively without external resources.

Note: Article S Shea, Presbyterian Hosp, 9 E Room 105, 622 W 168TH St, New York, NY 10032 USA

Keyword(s): NORTH-KARELIA-PROJECT; STANFORD 5-CITY PROJECT; CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE; RISK-FACTORS; COMMUNITY; PREVENTION; EDUCATION

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