WHAT WOMEN WANT: EMPOWERING WOMEN TO IMPROVE THEIR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AND LIFE EXPECTANCY THROUGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Abstract

Therapeutic Area

ASCD/CVD in Women

Background

Disparities in awareness of and mortality from cardiovascular disease exist by age, education level, gender and race/ethnicity. Disparities are exacerbated by systemic gaps in communities with less access to care and mistrust of health systems. We report on a community intervention that (1) promoted education on cardiovascular disease prevention; (2) was tailored to address women’s health and wellness needs; and (3) addressed systemic gaps in a community with a life expectancy 15 years lower than neighboring zip codes.

Methods

The intervention was a Women’s Heart Wellness Event that included workshops on cardiometabolic health, well woman visits, stress, hypertension, nutrition, and movement. The event featured a “Choose Your Own Heart Health Adventure” including mobile health units providing health screenings; community-based organizations providing resources to meet health and social needs; and hands-on activities related to cardiovascular disease prevention. We administered a survey to evaluate the intervention (N=87). Most respondents were Black or African American women.

Results

Survey respondents had a statistically significant increase in their knowledge of cardiometabolic health, well woman visits, stress, hypertension, nutrition, and physical activity after the event compared to before the event (p<0.05 for all measures). Women were least knowledgeable about cardiometabolic health before the event, and there was room for improvement in understanding about cardiometabolic health after the event. Most women reported that they plan to apply the information presented during the event to their health including eating healthy (94%), getting regularly physical activity (93%), and maintaining a healthy weight (92%). After the event, only about twenty percent of women did not plan to attend their annual well woman’s visit with the remaining 80% planning to attend

Conclusions

Community interventions providing educational workshops, screenings, resources, and hands-on activities can increase women’s knowledge about cardiovascular disease prevention and intention to apply knowledge to their health. Yet, additional work remains to address systemic gaps in communities. Future events tailored to meet women’s health and social needs can expand education regarding cardiometabolic health and well woman’s visits.