This nineteen month African-American, cardiovascular project is designed to decrease ethnic disparities. The community was: mobilized and resources coordinated to support effective/sustainable African-American programs addressing illness (strokes, cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, weight monitoring, and high blood pressure); learn of unhealthy lifestyles (coordinated public relations campaigns); educate/participate in screening (blood pressure, weight); community activities (awareness; alternatives; informational; educational; individual, family, and intergenerational; environmental;); increase culturally sensitive activities (community, church-based, or beauty shop) and examine data/make appropriate adjustments. Strategies included church committee implemented/evaluated church-community programs; beauty shop activities; or activities at places people gather. The Cardiovascular Faith Program was modified from a Promising Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Faith Prevention Program that has been ongoing for ten years.
The presentation shares six month Faith Community successful church committee processes and data (N=10 churches ). Exercise (exercise to church music), Nutritional Practices (Cooking classes), Tobacco prevention activities, Stress Management groups, Blood Pressure and Weight Screening/Referral/Follow-up; Special Church Holidays related to Cardiovascular Health, Achievement/Recognition; Intergenerational; Community Awareness; Data Collection, pre/post surveys, monthly activity reports, vital statistics were the major activities. Significant youth 6 month changes (.0001,.01, or .05 levels) were found for: blood pressure and cholesterol checks, eating patterns (daily breakfast, salt, fat, sugar, fast foods), healthy behaviors (seatbelt, cholesterol, healthy weight, alcohol, fun activities, exercise), friends behaviors (discuss problems, respect ideas, do well at school, trust friends, say No to Drugs, fun activities, stay home at regular times). Significant adult behavioral changes (at either .001, .01, or 05 levels) included: participation in leisure time activities, exercise daily, and 30 minutes daily of moderate physical activity; consumer two daily servings of fruits and vegetables and avoid foods high in fats; maintain a normal cholesterol level and had it checked within the last five years; and friends do well at work.