Partnership to Strenghten the Heartbeat of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Communities (CVH Training)

1. Increase to at least 95 % the proportion of adults who have had their blood pressure measured within the preceding 2 years and can state whether their blood pressure was normal or high.

2. Increase to at least 75% the proportion of adults who do not use tobacco products.

3. Increase to at least 85% the proportion of people age 18 and older who engage in any leisure time physical activity

Prevent Development of Risk Factors

Through population and clinical approaches, increase the percentage of children and adults who engage in heart-healthy behaviors to prevent the development of cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Detect and Treat Risk Factors

Increase the percentage of patients who have their CVD risk factors detected and who implement lifestyle and/or pharmacologic intervention and successfully control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels and weight to prevent the development of CVD.

Early Recognition and Treatment of Acute Coronary Syndromes

Increase the percentage of the public, including specified target groups (e.g., women, minorities, etc.) and providers, who recognize the symptoms and signs of acute coronary syndromes and seek timely and appropriate evaluation and treatment.

1. Adapt the Hispanic YHYL Training Manual to reflect and facilitate AI/AN learning through incorporating language, stories, symbols, pictures, activities, and videos that are culturally appropriate.

2. In partnership with IHS and other AI/AN reviewers, compile the results of their recommendations and revise the YHYL manual to reflect their recommendations for culturally appropriate training.

3. Conduct in partnership with IHS CVH training with the participants from the 3 tribal projects.

4. Develop CVH community education and outreach action plans using CVH training and course materials.

5. Implement outreach activities with the unique approaches identified by each community using the products and materials developed for each one.

6. Monitor and assess the progress made in each community.

7. Market and disseminate the AI/AN materials developed for this project.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in adult American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. More AI/AN over 45 years die of heart disease than any other disease. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and is increasing in AI/AN populations. Recent data from the DHHS Office of Women’s Health revealed that AI/AN women are least likely to have a blood pressure screening (27%) compared to Caucasian women (80%). In 1998, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) funded three CVD assessment projects in AI/AN communities.
The purpose of the project was to conduct formative research to better understand the specific heart-health needs and opportunities to implement community-based interventions to reduce CVD-related health disparities in the following communities: 1) Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma with about 2,500 members; 2) Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico with about 4,000 members; and 3) Bristol Bay with 32 villages in SW Alaska. The assessment and materials development phase was completed in June 2000. Planning for Phase II, Education and Outreach was initiated in FY 2001.