Lessons learned from the Healthy Heart Community Prevention Project in reaching the African American population

The Healthy Heart Community Prevention Project (HHCPP) is an ongoing program of cardiovascular risk identification and modification in the African American community in New Orleans, Louisiana. The program targets low socioeconomic status African American populations, which continue to have higher rates of coronary heart disease, stroke, and overall cardiovascular mortality than the general population. Among the HHCPP's initiatives have been the use of barbershops and beauty salons as blood pressure screening sites. Church-based programs, in which ministers provide "healthy heart sermons," as well as screenings at sports events, where volunteers provide health advice, have proven to be successful aspects of the program. The HHCPP has also offered educational sessions to a broad cross-section of health professionals, including physicians as well as nurse practitioners and nutritionists. Future initiatives include the establishment of cholesterol screening programs.