AwardeeHelping Educators Attack Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
Together (HEART) Target PopulationThe target population includes approximately 8,000 third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders from 45 public elementary schools in Cabell, Wayne, and Lincoln Counties in West Virginia; parents and families of the students; and school staff. These three counties have cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates that far exceed the U.S. average, as well as high rates of CVD risk factors among their populations. Proposed StrategyThis project will use a school-based intervention approach, based on the proven science-based intervention methods from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI's) SPARK and CATCH programs, to address the prevention, detection, and treatment of CVD risk factors in at-risk elementary school children. Specific strategies used by SPARK and CATCH include:
The proposed strategies will focus on two NHLBI performance goals:
Anticipated OutcomeAnticipated overall outcomes of this project are: (1) decreases in the prevalence of mean cholesterol levels, mean blood pressure levels, and body mass index (BMI) levels, and (2) increases in healthy behavior among the targeted third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students and parents and families. Specific outcomes are expected to include: For students:
For Parents/Families:
For Staff: Increased knowledge of CVD. Overall: Increased number of children and families screened for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and overweight/obesity and referred for followup. |