Reduction of Heart Disease Program
Thompson et al. (2013) assert that heart diseases are the cause of most deaths and disability amongst people from different backgrounds and age brackets. The number of deaths due to heart diseases has decreased in San Bernardino County as per the 2013 statistics, which reported a 34% decrease since 2005 (“2015 Community Indicators Report”, 2015). However, this does not necessarily mean that the number of people diagnosed by the heart problems has decreased. In fact, there has been an increase from 5.7% in 2005 to 6.5% in 2013 (“2015 Community Indicators Report”, 2015). As per the 2013 statistics, San Bernardino County was named to have the highest number of heart diseases reported amongst the neighboring counties. Perhaps, the community living in this county is vulnerable; hence, the many cases of heart diseases reported. Moreover, 29.2% of the adults in San Bernadino County were reported in 2013 to have high blood pressure than all the counties compared (“2015 Community Indicators Report”, 2015). Additionally, 67% of the identified victims were under medications; thus, an evidence that they relied on medication rather than other remedies related to heart diseases.
Most of the groups in both public and private sector have previously strived to combat the heart diseases through addressing the factors that expose the society to such diseases like obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco, and alcohol. Although these are ideal strategies for combating with the diseases, there is a need to narrow down to the high risk societies such as African Americans. One of the organization that has strived to eradicate the diseases in such high-risk society include, African American Health Institute of San Bernardino County. One of the core services emphasized by this organization is to involve the health professionals and community stakeholders in a dialogue aiming at coming up with appropriate health policies that affect the African Americans (“African American Health Institute of San Bernardino County – Core Services”, 2017). The center further conducts action research to identify the solutions to health issues. By utilizing the program plan discussed herein, the heart diseases can be significantly eradicated in San Bernardino County.
Goal Statement
The aim of introducing a new program in San Bernardino County is to reduce the number of heart disease cases among the African Americans and other residents of this county. The objective of this program is to empower the residents to eat healthy foods and remain physically active, which is the remedy for heart diseases (Crespi et al., 2012). This will be ensured through advocacy, community empowerment, and education.
Process Objective
By December 2, the number of brochures with information regarding heart disease will be increased by 30% and given to volunteers for distribution.
- Outcome (what): will receive the brochures to an increased number
- Priority population (who): volunteers
- Conditions (when): by December 2.
- Criterion (how much): more than half of the county residents.
Activities and Strategies for Reaching Process Objective
- Seek external funding to help increase the number of brochures to be produced.
- Seek facilitators who will seat in a panel to discuss vital information to be incorporated in the brochures.
- Find a simple language approach that the residents will easily understand (Taylor et al., 2015).
- Develop a campaign-seeking volunteers to distribute the flyers.
Impact- Learning Objective
By increasing the awareness level where the volunteers will distribute the brochures to most of the homes in the county and distribute them in the shopping centers among other social amenities, the residents will be able to identify the risks associated with heart diseases.
- Outcome (what): determine the risks that expose them to heart diseases
- Priority population (who): residents
- Conditions (when): after distribution of the brochures
- Criterion (how much): most of the county residents
By use of capturing words and pictures in the brochures that will make the residents be motivated to read the brochures, awareness level will be increased. In addition to the simple and attention capturing words, pictures will be of essence in breaking the monotony of reading and illustrating the descriptions. A schedule on how to involve in the physical exercises will be included in the brochures. Moreover, a diet plan on emphasizing the health diet necessary to be consumed on daily basis. To evaluate the outcome of the instruction, there will be a table that will require to be filled with the weight and blood pressure measurements after every four months to keep a track of the impact of the program on the users.
- Outcome (what): Keep a track on the changes as a result of using the program.
- Priority population (who): program users
- Conditions (when): after very four months since adopting the program
- Criterion (how much): all the program users.
Activities and Strategies for Reaching the Objectives
The program should ensure that it creates a design that will urge the low-income residents to eat a healthier diet that suits their budget (Crespi et al., 2012). In addition, the program will empower the residents to involve physical activity. Exercising is one of the ways for avoiding heart diseases. The brochures will include a positive strategy that will ensure a healthier community. The approach to be used will ensure low budget to suit all the residents’ pockets which include eating vegetable and fruits while remaining physically active (Thompson et al., 2013). The brochures will name the risks that expose people to heart diseases which include excess salt and irresponsible alcohol drinking. By creating a simple understandable table that the users can fill the information, it will be easier to evaluate the impact of the program of the users. Besides, blood pressure is one of the heart diseases thus the table will help keep a track on the blood pressure changes thus upon realization of an unexpected increase, medical intervention can be sought immediately. By adhering to the physical activity schedule, the risk of obesity will be eliminated thus decrease in heart problems in San Bernardino.
Impact- Behavioral Objective
One year after the distribution of the brochures, the number of heart diseases will be recorded to analyze whether the program worked as expected. The feedback on how the residents respond to the program will be evaluated to analyze the efficiency of the program.
- Outcome (what): the response of the residents to the program will be evaluated
- Priority population (who): residents
- Conditions (when): after one year
- Criterion (how much): most of the county residents
Activities and Strategies for Reaching Behavioral Objective
To collect all the necessary data, retrieving the number of reported heart diseases all over the year will be of the essence. Besides, the victims will be interviewed on their response to the instructions in the brochures if they received any. Questionnaires will be given to the residents who utilized the brochures to evaluate their behavioral change based on the program.
Impact- Environmental Objective
Taylor et al. (2015) argue that it is essential to wait more than four months when recollecting health data so as to acquire real time results. The attitude level will be evaluated based on the questionnaires filled after six months. A majority of the residents who filled the questionnaires will be evaluated on their response to the program. The purpose of the program will be realized if there is a reduced number of the reported heart diseases and adhering to the lifestyle emphasized in the program.
- Outcome (what): reduced number of heart diseases
- Priority population (who): residents
- Conditions (when): after six months
- Criterion (how much): majority of the county residents
Activities and Strategies for Reaching Environmental Objective
Evaluating the experiences of the residents as from the interviews and the questionnaires will gauge the impact of the program on the environmental objective.
Outcome Objectives
By five years since the launching of the program, there will be reduced number of heart diseases reported which are aimed to be 1 out of 1000.
- Outcome (what): decline in reported heart diseases
- Priority population (who): residents
- Conditions (when): after five years
- Criterion (how much): 1 out of 1000
By one year, 96% users of the program will have a health life with limited chances of being affected by obesity and increased or decreased blood pressured beyond or below the normal limit.
- Outcome (what): decline in obesity and abnormal blood pressure cases
- Priority population (who): program users
- Conditions (when): after one year
- Criterion (how much): 96% of the program users
Educational Materials
- Brochures- prepared after an analysis by the facilitators based on a simple language and best explanations.
- Questionnaires- simple language and avoid exploring on private issues that people will not find proper to disclose.
Promotional Materials
- Social media and mass media (television and radio) to inform the residents about the ongoing activity of heart diseases awareness.
References
2015 Community Indicators Report. (2015). Wp.sbcounty.gov. Retried from http://wp.sbcounty.gov/indicators/health/disease/
African American Health Institute of San Bernardino County – Core Services. (2017). aahi-sbc. Retrieved from http://www.aahi-sbc.org/Core_Services.html
Crespi, C. M., Alfonso, V. H., Whaley, S. E., & Wang, M. C. (2012). Validity of child anthropometric measurements in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Pediatric research, 71(3), 286-292.
Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R., & DeVault, M. (2015). Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Thompson, P. D., Arena, R., Riebe, D., & Pescatello, L. S. (2013). ACSM’s new preparticipation health screening recommendations from ACSM’s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. Current sports medicine reports, 12(4), 215-217.
