Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities (CARDIAC): preliminary findings

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiovascular Disease Research
• Health Promotion

Background:

• West Virginia exhibits some of the highest cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and morbidity rates globally.
• Addressing modifiable risk factors like poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, and tobacco use is crucial for reducing premature coronary heart disease (CHD) in Appalachia.
• School-based health promotion programs are effective in influencing health behaviors of students and their families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the incidence of CVD risk factors among elementary school children in rural West Virginia.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based program in identifying children and parents at risk for CHD.
• To propose a statewide CVD intervention project leveraging existing partnerships.

Main Methods:

• Pilot phase of the Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities (CARDIAC) project.
• Screening of 347 fifth-grade students across three rural West Virginia counties.
• Utilizing the West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnerships (WVRHEP) framework.

Main Results:

• The CARDIAC pilot project revealed a high incidence of CVD risk factors among participating fifth-grade children.
• The program successfully identified children and their parents who are at risk for developing CHD.
• The study demonstrated the potential for a school-based approach to community-wide cardiovascular health.

Conclusions:

• A significant prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors exists in young populations in rural West Virginia.
• School-based interventions are a viable strategy for early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
• The established infrastructure provides a unique opportunity to implement the first statewide CVD intervention project in the nation.