Knowledge and behavioral effects in cardiovascular health: Community Health Worker Health Disparities Initiative,...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities Research
• Community Health Interventions

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in the U.S.
• Significant CVD health disparities exist among African Americans, American Indians, Hispanics, and Filipinos.
• The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) developed a health disparities initiative using community health workers (CHWs) and culturally tailored curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the NHLBI's Community Health Worker Health Disparities Initiative.
• To assess improvements in cardiovascular disease knowledge and heart-healthy behaviors among diverse racial/ethnic groups.

Main Methods:

• A 1-group pretest-posttest design was used to evaluate the 10-session curriculum delivered by CHWs.
• Data from 1,004 community participants across 15 sites were analyzed.
• Linear mixed effects and generalized linear mixed effects models were employed.

Main Results:

• Participant demographics included 50% Hispanic, 35% African American, 8% Filipino, and 7% American Indian, with an average age of 48 and 75% female.
• Heart-healthy knowledge scores increased from 48% to 74%.
• Participants in the action or maintenance stage of behavior change increased from 41% to 85%.

Conclusions:

• The CHW model with culturally tailored curricula can enhance cardiovascular health knowledge and behaviors in minority populations.
• Further research is needed to investigate the impact of these programs on clinical CVD risk factors.