Community-based Cardiovascular Disease Research Articles

A community health worker led approach to cardiovascular disease prevention in the UK-SPICES-Sussex (scaling-up packages of interventions for cardiovascular disease prevention in selected sites in Europe and Sub-saharan Africa): an implementation research project.

This paper describes a UK-based study, SPICES-Sussex, which aimed to co-produce and implement a community-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and reduction intervention to support under-served populations at moderate risk of CVD. The objectives were to enhance stakeholder engagement; to implement the intervention in four research sites and to evaluate the use of Voluntary and Community and Social Enterprises (VCSE) and Community Health Worker (CHW) partnerships in health interventions. A type three hybrid implementation study design was used with mixed methods data. This paper represents the process evaluation of the implementation of the SPICES-Sussex Project. The evaluation was conducted using the RE-AIM framework. Reach: 381 individuals took part in the risk profiling questionnaire and forty-one women, and five men participated in the coaching intervention. Effectiveness: quantitative results from intervention participants showed significant improvements in CVD behavioural risk factors across several measures. Qualitative data indicated high acceptability, with the holistic, personalised, and person-centred approach being valued by participants. Adoption: 50% of VCSEs approached took part in the SPICES programme, The CHWs felt empowered to deliver high-quality and mutually beneficial coaching within a strong project infrastructure that made use of VCSE partnerships. Implementation: Co-design meetings resulted in local adaptations being made to the intervention. 29 (63%) of participants completed the intervention. Practical issues concerned how to embed CHWs in a health service context, how to keep engaging participants, and tensions between research integrity and the needs and expectations of those in the voluntary sector. Maintenance: Several VCSEs expressed an interest in continuing the intervention after the end of the SPICES programme. Community-engagement approaches have the potential to have positively impact the health and wellbeing of certain groups. Furthermore, VCSEs and CHWs represent a significant untapped resource in the UK. However, more work needs to be done to understand how links between the sectors can be bridged to deliver evidence-based effective alternative preventative healthcare. Reaching vulnerable populations remains a challenge despite partnerships with VCSEs which are embedded in the community. By showing what went well and what did not, this project can guide future work in community engagement for health.

A qualitative exploration of the health needs and goals of urban women to inform the tailoring and adaptation of Strong Hearts Healthy Communities: a community-based cardiovascular disease prevention intervention

BackgroundIn the United States, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death and disability in women. CVD-modifiable risk factors, including poor diet quality and inadequate physical activity, can be addressed through evidence-based interventions (EBIs). Strong Hearts Healthy Communities (SHHC) is an EBI that has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing CVD risk and improving health outcomes among rural white women. The aims of this study were to understand the general health, diet, and physical activity-related needs and goals of women living in an urban community, to inform the tailoring and adaptation of the SHHC EBI to an urban setting and more diverse population.MethodsFocus groups (FGs) were conducted with African American/Black and Hispanic/Latinx women in the Dallas metropolitan area who had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and engaged in ≤ 150 min per week of moderate physical activity. The data were coded using a team-based, deductive, and thematic analysis approach, that included multiple coders and in-depth discussions.ResultsFour FGs with a total of 18 participants (79% Black and 21% Latinx) were conducted, and three themes were developed: (1) participants had adequate knowledge and positive attitudes towards healthy living but faced many barriers to practicing healthy behaviors; (2) culturally-based beliefs and community practices exerted a strong influence on behaviors related to food and stress, revealing barriers to healthy eating and generational differences in stress and stress management; (3) participants desired a more individualized approach to nutrition and physical activity interventions that included familiar and enjoyable activities and social support centered around shared health goals.ConclusionsThe SHHC intervention and similar health programs for Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx women in urban settings should emphasize individualized nutrition and practical skills for healthy eating with accessible, familiar, and enjoyable exercises. Additionally, stress management strategies should be culturally and generationally sensitive and social support, whether through family, friends, or other program participants, should be based on shared health goals.

Cost-effectiveness of implementing risk-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) management using updated WHO CVD risk prediction charts in India.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the updated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction charts in 2019 for each of the 21 Global Burden of Disease regions. The WHO advocates countries to implement population-based CVD risk assessment and management using these updated charts for preventing and controlling CVDs. To assess the cost-effectiveness of implementing risk-based CVD management using updated WHO CVD risk prediction charts in India. We developed a decision tree combined with Markov Model to simulate implementing two community-based CVD risk screening strategies (interventions) compared with the current no-screening scenario. In the first strategy, the whole population is initially screened using the WHO non-lab-based CVD risk assessment method, and those with ≥10% CVD risk are subjected to WHO lab-based CVD risk assessment (two-stage screening). In the second strategy, the whole population is subjected only to the lab-based CVD risk assessment (single-stage screening). A mathematical cohort of those aged ≥40 years with no history of CVD events was simulated over a lifetime horizon with three months of cycle length. Data for the model were derived from a primary study and secondary sources. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were determined for the screening strategies and sensitivity analyses. The discounted Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per QALY gained for both the two-stage (US$ 105; ₹ 8,656) and single-stage (US$ 1073; ₹ 88,588) screening strategies were cost-effective at an implementation effect of 40% when compared with no screening scenario. Implementing CVD screening strategies are estimated to cause substantial reduction in the number of CVD events in the population compared to the no screening scenario. In India, both CVD screening strategies would be cost-effective, and implementing the two-staged screening would be more cost-effective. Our findings support implementing population-based CVD screening in India. Future studies shall assess the budget impact of these strategies at different implementation coverage levels.

The Pre-Implementation Phase of a Project Seeking to Deliver a Community-Based CVD Prevention Intervention (SPICES-Sussex): A Qualitative Study Exploring Views and Experience Relating to Intervention Development.

Community-led health care interventions may be an effective way to tackle cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, especially in materially deprived communities where health care resources are stretched and engagement with institutions is often low. To do so effectively and equitably, interventions might be developed alongside community members through community engagement. The aim of this project was to carry out stakeholder mapping and partnership identification and to understand the views, needs, experiences of community members who would be involved in later stages of a community-based CVD prevention intervention's development and implementation. Stakeholder mapping was carried out to identify research participants in three communities in Sussex, United Kingdom. A qualitative descriptive approach was taken during the analysis of focus groups and interviews with 47 participants. Three themes were highlighted related to intervention design (a) Management: the suitability of the intervention for the community, management of volunteers, and communication; (b) Logistics: the structure and design of the intervention; and (c) Sociocultural issues, the social and cultural expectations/experiences of participants and implementers. Study participants were open and willing to engage in the planned community-based intervention, particularly in elements of co-design and community-led delivery. They also highlighted the importance of sociocultural factors. Based on the findings, we developed recommendations for intervention design which included (but were not limited to): (a) a focus on a bottom-up approach to intervention design, (b) the recruitment of skilled local volunteers, and (c) the importance of fun and simplicity.

Dietary outcomes of community-based cardiovascular disease preventive interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We aimed to synthesize available evidence on the effects of community-based interventions in improving various dietary outcome measures. Systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched databases including Medline, EMBASE, PSYCINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane registry for studies reported between January 2000 and June 2022. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tools for each study type. For some of the outcomes, we pooled the effect size using a random-effects meta-analysis. A total of 51 studies, 33 randomized and 18 non-randomized, involving 100 746 participants were included. Overall, 37 studies found a statistically significant difference in at least one dietary outcome measure favoring the intervention group, whereas 14 studies found no statistically significant difference. Our meta-analyses indicated that, compared to controls, interventions were effective in decreasing daily energy intake (MJ/day) (MD: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.14), fat % of energy (MD: -1.01; 95% CI: -1.76, -0.25), and saturated fat % of energy (MD: -1.54; 95% CI: -2.01, -1.07). Furthermore, the interventions were effective in improving fiber intake (g/day) (MD: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.39, 1.77). Effective interventions use various strategies including tailored individual lifestyle coaching, health education, health promotion activities, community engagement activities and/or structural changes. This review shows the potential of improving dietary patterns through community-based CVD preventive interventions. Thus, development and implementation of context-specific preventive interventions could help to minimize dietary risk factors, which in turn decrease morbidity and mortality due to CVDs and other non-communicable diseases.

Familial hypercholesterolemia in community-based KHDC Nepal program-baseline data

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): HUG and Republic and Canton of Geneva – Service de solidarité internationaleBP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is either underdiagnosed or diagnosed after primary coronary events. Although homozygous variant of FH is considered rare, heterozygous FH is estimated to occur in about 1 in 200 to 300 individuals. There is no study pertaining to prevalence of FH in Nepal which could be a factor influencing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We present a baseline data of FH in an ongoing in participants of community-based cardiovascular and kidney diseases preventive (KHDC Nepal) program in Mechinagar municipality in Eastern Nepal. KHDC is a program to collaborate among health post, primary health center or equivalent, and local government along with community representatives created to educate, screen, and intervene for selective NCDs. This program is in alignment with the World Health Organization’s Package of Essential Noncommunicable (WHO PEN) disease interventions for primary health care in low-resource settings. General health status and lifestyle habits, physical examination, and blood pressure were assessed. Blood tests done included fasting lipid profile, serum creatinine, FBS, and HbA1c. A mechanism was developed to follow-up screened positive persons in the primary health centers. Referrals were made to the tertiary care center as needed. We analyzed initial 7289 participants, 20 years or above, who were enrolled in KHDC program in the year 2020. We assessed for FH using Dutch Lipid Clinic Network(DLCN), Simon Broome and AHA criteria. Participants were categorized as definite, probable, possible, or no FH based on the scores of DLCN criteria; as definite and probable based on Simon Broome criteria and as clinically diagnosed FH based on AHA criteria. The median age of the patient was 54 years, the majority being females (62.7%). A total of 70(0.96%) of the participants had elevated LDL-C levels of more than 190mg/dl detected during the screening and had no secondary cause for hyperlipidemia. According to DLCN criteria, 65(0.89%) participants were grouped under possible FH, 5(0.06%) were grouped under probable FH while none of them could be delineated as definite FH. According to Simon Broome criteria, 14(0.2%) participants were grouped under probable and none of them could be delineated as definite. According to AHA criteria, 10 (0.13%) participants were categorized as clinically diagnosed FH. DNA analysis was not available in our setup. Clinically manifested atherosclerotic disease was recorded in 5 participants. None of the participants were aware of the FH. This community-based program of the adult population help create baseline data of FH in Nepal. Larger study with genetic analysis is likely to reveal true prevalence of FH in Nepal.

Type and effectiveness of community-based interventions in improving knowledge related to cardiovascular diseases and risk factors: A systematic review

Background: Despite an improvement in the healthcare system, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Improving knowledge is a key for behavioral change towards prevention of CVDs. However, up-to-date evidence is limited on the effect of interventions on CVD knowledge. Thus this study aimed to synthesize comprehensive evidence on the type and effectiveness of community-based interventions (CBIs) to improve knowledge related to CVDs. Methods: We performed a systematic review of studies that tested the effectiveness of CBIs in improving CVD knowledge. International databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PSYCINFO and Cochrane register of controlled studies were searched for studies published between January 2000 and December 2019. The Cochrane risk of bias tools were used to assess the methodological quality of included studies. Since CVD knowledge was measured using various tools, results were synthesized narratively and reported in line with the reporting guideline for Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM). The review protocol is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42019119885). Results: 7 randomized and 9 non-randomized controlled trials involving 34,845 participants were included. Most of the interventions targeted the general population and majorities delivered the intervention to groups of individuals. Likewise, most of the interventions employed various intervention components including health education using different strategies. Overall, most studies showed that CBIs significantly improved knowledge related to CVDs. Conclusion: Community-based CVD preventive interventions are effective in improving knowledge related to CVD and risk factors. Measures to scale up CBIs are recommended to improve an individual's level of CVD knowledge, which potentially helps to counter the growing burden of CVDs.

The significant places of African American adults and their perceived influence on cardiovascular disease risk behaviors

BackgroundAA living in rural areas of the southeastern U.S. experience a disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Neighborhood environmental factors contribute to this disparity and may decrease the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions aimed at preventing CVD. Furthermore, the influence of neighborhood factors on AA CVD risk behaviors (i.e. physical activity) may be obscured by the use of researcher-defined neighborhoods and researcher-defined healthy and unhealthy places. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effects of neighborhood environments on AA CVD risk behaviors among AA adults who recently completed a lifestyle intervention. We specifically sought to identify AA adults’ self-perceived places of significance and their perceptions of how these places impact CVD risk behaviors including diet, physical activity and smoking.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with AA adults (N = 26) living in two rural North Carolina counties (Edgecombe and Nash, North Carolina, USA). Participants were recruited from a community-based behavioral CVD risk reduction intervention. All had at least one risk factor for CVD. Participants identified significant places including where they spent the most time, meaningful places, and healthy and unhealthy places on local maps. Using these maps as a reference, participants described the impact of each location on their CVD risk behaviors. Data were transcribed verbatim and coded using NVivo 12.ResultsThe average age of participants was 63 (SD = 10) and 92% were female. Places participants defined as meaningful and places where they spent the most time included churches and relatives’ homes. Healthy places included gyms and parks. Unhealthy places included fast food restaurants and relatives’ homes where unhealthy food was served. Place influenced CVD risk behaviors in multiple ways including through degree of perceived control over the environment, emotional attachment and loneliness, caretaking responsibilities, social pressures and social support.ConclusionsAs we seek to improve cardiovascular interventions for rural AA in the American South, it will be important to further assess the effect of significant places beyond place of residence. Strategies which leverage or modify behavioral influences within person-defined significant places may improve the reach and effectiveness of behavioral lifestyle interventions.

Cardiovascular disease risk in Hispanic American women

ABSTRACT Hispanic American women have an increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study examined CVD risk in a sample of immigrant Hispanic women using Framingham point scores and the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Risk Estimator for 10-year CVD risk and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. A cross-sectional study using baseline data from a diabetes self-management intervention study in a sample of 118 Hispanic American women was conducted. Data were c ollected with interviewer-administered surveys, and HbA1C and lipid profiles were obtained through capillary finger stick blood at clinics and churches in rural counties in central North Carolina. A majority (58%) of the women had type 2 diabetes and 61% had metabolic syndrome. Using the Framingham point scores for 10-year CVD risk, 2.5% were determined to have intermediate risk, compared to 7.6% at intermediate risk and 2.5% at high risk using the ASCVD 10-year risk estimator. High rates of CVD risk factors were found among this sample of Hispanic women. Early recognition of risk, mitigation of modifiable risk factors, and effective self-care programs are needed for Hispanic women. Hispanic American women may benefit from community-based CVD educational programs that have been culturally and linguistically tailored.

Population-Level Reach of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Interventions in a Rural Community: Findings from the Heart of New Ulm Project.

This study examines participation by residents of a rural community in programs implemented as part of The Heart of New Ulm (HONU) Project, a population-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention initiative. The study compares participation rates for the various interventions to assess which were the most engaging in the priority community and identifies factors that differentiate participants vs. nonparticipants. Participation data were merged with electronic health record (EHR) data representing the larger community population to enable an analysis of participation in the context of the entire community. HONU individual-level interventions engaged 44% of adult residents in the community. Participation ranked as follows: (1) heart health screenings (37% of adult residents), (2) a year-long community weight loss intervention (12% of adult residents), (3) community health challenges (10% of adult residents), and (4) a phone coaching program for invited high CVD-risk residents (enrolled 6% of adult residents). Interventions that yielded the highest engagement were those that had significant staffing and recruited participants over several months, often with many opportunities to participate or register. Compared to nonparticipants, HONU participants were significantly older and a higher proportion were female, married, overweight or obese, and had high cholesterol. Participants also had a lower prevalence of smoking and diabetes than nonparticipants. Findings indicate community-based CVD prevention initiatives can be successful in engaging a high proportion of adult community members. Partnering with local health care systems can allow for use of EHR data to identify eligible participants and evaluate reach and engagement of the priority population.

Participation in the Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) by older adults residing in social housing in Quebec: Social network analysis

BackgroundThe Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) is as a community-based cardiovascular disease prevention program recently adapted to target older adults living in 14 social housing buildings in Ontario (7) and Quebec (7). Social network analysis (SNA) has been used successfully to assess and strengthen participation in health promotion programs. We applied SNA methods to investigate whether interpersonal relationships among residents within buildings influenced their participation in CHAP.MethodsOur aim was to examine relational dynamics in two social housing buildings in Quebec with low and high CHAP attendance rates, respectively. We used sociometric questionnaires and network analysis for the quantitative phase of the study, supplemented by a phase of qualitative interviews. All residents of both buildings were eligible for the sociometric questionnaire. Respondents for the qualitative interviews were purposively selected to represent the different attendance situations following the principle of content saturation.ResultsIn total, 69 residents participated in the study, 37 through sociometric questionnaires and 32 in qualitative interviews. Of the latter, 10 attended almost all CHAP sessions, 10 attended once, and 12 attended none. Results of the quantitative analysis phase identified well-known and appreciated local leaders. In Building 1, which had a high attendance rate (34.3%), there was a main leader (in-degree or ‘named by others’ frequency 23.2%) who had attended all CHAP sessions. In Building 2, which had a low attendance rate (23.9%), none of the leaders had attended CHAP sessions. Results of the qualitative analysis phase showed that residents who did not attend CHAP sessions (or other activities in the building) generally preferred to avoid conflicts, vindictiveness, and gossip and did not want to get involved in clans and politics within their building.ConclusionWe identified four potential strategies to increase attendance at CHAP sessions by residents of subsidized housing for older adults: strengthen confidentiality for those attending the sessions; use community peer networks to enhance recruitment; pair attendees to increase the likelihood of participation; and intervene through opinion leaders or bridging individuals.

Critical appraisal of a mHealth-assisted community-based cardiovascular disease risk screening program in rural Kenya: an operational research study

ABSTRACT Community health workers (CHWs) can participate in the cascade of hypertension and diabetes management in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Their services may be enhanced with mobile health (mHealth) tools. In this operational research study, we describe the AFYACHAT mHealth-assisted cardiovascular health screening program in rural Kenya. In this study, A CHW screened a convenience sample of adults ≥ 40 years old in rural Kenya for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk using the two-way AFYACHAT mHealth instrument. AFYACHAT analyzes a patient’s age, sex, smoking, diabetes and systolic blood pressure and provides a four-tiered 10-year CVD risk score. User acceptability was assessed by an end-of-study interview with the CWH. Automated error logs were analyzed. Patient satisfaction was measured with a six-question satisfaction questionnaire. Screened participants with high CVD risk were followed-up via telephone to explore any actions taken following screening. In 24 months, one CHW screened 1650 participants using AFYACHAT. The 10-year risk of CVD was <10% for 1611 (98%) patients, 10 to <20% for 26 (1.6%), 20 to <30% in 12 (0.7%), and ≥30% for 1 (0.1%). The point prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was 27% and 1.9%, respectively. Seventy-five percent of participants with elevated CVD risk sought further medical care. There was high acceptability, a 15% miscode error rate, and high participant satisfaction with the screening program. Our operational research outlines how AFYACHAT mHealth tool can assist CHW perform rapid CVD screening; this provides a model framework for non-communicable disease screening in LMICs.

Evaluation of a Community-Based Cardiovascular Prevention Program in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

An outcomes' evaluation of a community-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention program in persons with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. A prospective, observational study. A community-setting in Ireland. Persons with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, aged 40 years or older, and 2 or more cardiovascular risk factors. A 16-week community-based, cardiovascular prevention program, with health promotion seminars, group exercise, and individual consultations, delivered by a multidisciplinary team. Medical, lifestyle, and well-being measures. Changes in categorical and continuous variables were analyzed using the paired exact test and the t test/Wilcoxin matched-pairs test, respectively. In total, 218 persons (134 men) participated, mean age was 59.8 (10.2) years. Completion rate was 75.2% (n = 164). The proportion achieving target glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) increased from 53% at baseline to 75% (P < .001) at end of program. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures reduced by 8.8 mm Hg (95% CI: -11.2 to -6.4, P < .001) and 5.2 mm Hg (95% CI: -6.9 to -3.5, P < .001), respectively. Mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduced from 2.45 to 2.05 mmol/L (P < .001). Significantly higher proportions met recommended targets in diet (6.9% vs 43.4%, P < .001) and physical activity (9.2% vs 56.6%, P < .001). Psychosocial measures significantly improved at end of program. The majority of improvements were sustained at 1 year. Participation in this CVD prevention program was associated with significant improvements in glycemia and CVD risk factors in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract 45: The Association of Cumulative Systolic Blood Pressure With Cardiovascular Disease: Findings From the Lifetime Risk Pooling Project Cohorts

Background: Blood pressure (BP) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but prior studies have predominantly focused on single measurements of BP. Previous studies which have examined longitudinal BP have been mostly limited to a single cohort and have examined BP during older age. Objective: To assess the association of cumulative systolic BP (SBP) in middle age with CVD using individual-level pooled data from 5 US community-based cardiovascular disease cohorts. Methods: Among participants from the Lifetime Risk Pooling Project, we defined the index date as the earliest SBP measurement taken within 45-65 yr of age with ≥2 previous SBP measurements during the prior 5 years. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, with and without current SBP, were used to assess the association of cumulative 5-years SBP (Cum5ySBP, defined as 4 quarters {q1to q4} of SBP mm Hg-years) with any CVD, coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race, education, BMI, smoking status, diabetes, total cholesterol level, and use of hypertensive medications as well as index SBP. Results: The association of Cum5ySBP with CVD over an average of 12.9 years was assessed for 13,957 individuals (54.6% women; mean age: 59.6 yr). Cum5ySBP was significantly associated with CVD incidence, with higher risk as the Cum5ySBP increased {Cum5ySBP: HRq2: 1.34 (1.20-1.48), HRq3: 1.71 (1.55-1.90), and HRq4: 2.16 (1.95-2.40)} (Figure 1A). The Cum5ySBP remained significant even when index SBP was incorporated into the model {Cum5ySBP: HRq2: 1.12 (1.01-1.25), HRq3: 1.24 (1.10-1.39), and HRq4: 1.19 (1.03-1.37)} (Figure 1B), as well as when evaluated separately for each type of CVD event. Conclusions: Cum5ySBP is a significant risk factor of CVD, above and beyond current BP. The risk for any CVD component increased with increases in cumulative SBP. These findings emphasize the importance of early treatment for individuals with high BP in order to reduce the cumulative burden of SBP and ultimately prevent CVD outcomes.

Implementation of Modified Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program for Canadian Adults on a Waiting List for a Family Physician.

IntroductionThe Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) was originally developed and evaluated as a community-based cardiovascular diseases (CVD) prevention program in communities where access to family physicians was not a significant issue. Many Canadians now face sub-optimal access to a regular source of primary care. Centralized waiting lists and prioritization based on urgency of medical need were created to address this problem. We aimed to assess the acceptability, CVD risk profile, and potential benefits of offering a modified version of CHAP to adults on the waiting list.MethodsThe implementation was conducted in Laval (Canada) between March and June 2016, targeting individuals 40 years of age or older who were registered on the waiting list (GACO) and had a priority code of 3. Participants were invited through a personalized letter to attend sessions in community health centers. During the sessions, participants completed CVD risk profiles, risk of type 2 diabetes questionnaire (CANRISK); had their blood pressure, height and weight as well as waist circumference measured. They also received targeted healthy lifestyle and patient education materials and were referred to local programs including a medical follow-up, when required.ResultsA total of 1976 invitation letters were sent resulting in 281 (14.2%) participants. The average age of attendees was 58.1 (SD = 8.2) and a majority were female (58%, n = 163). A third of participants (34.2%, n = 96) had BP ≥140/90 and 11.4% (n = 32) were classified as having a very high risk for developing diabetes. Almost half (41.6%, n = 117) of participants were referred either to health promotion programs offered by local health authorities, to family physicians (4.6%, n = 13) or emergency departments (1.8%, n = 5) for short-term medical assistance.ConclusionDespite low participation rate, many adults on a waiting list had elevated risk for CVD and would greatly benefit from having a regular source of primary care.

Interorganizational network findings from a nationwide cardiovascular disease prevention initiative

ObjectivesTo use network analysis in order to evaluate the effectiveness of interorganizational networks in implementing policy, systems, and environmental interventions for cardiovascular disease prevention throughout the United States. MethodsEvaluators conducted an interorganizational network (ION) survey to examine information sharing and joint planning within organizational relationships in 15 community-based cardiovascular disease prevention partnership networks. Density and betweenness centrality scores at the node- and network-level were calculated for each partnership network using UCINET© network analysis software. Common data patterns were then extracted using a multiple case study format. ResultsNetwork density scores ranged from 0.50 to 1.00 (M = 0.84, SD = 0.14) for information sharing and 0.43–1.00 (M = 0.77, SD = 0.15) for joint planning. Centralization indices ranged from 0.00 to 0.11 (M = 0.04, SD = 0.03), and 0.00-0.17 (M = 0.06, SD = 0.05), respectively. Overall, 73.33 % of communities were successful in meeting their partnership goals. ConclusionsWhen planning and implementing interorganizational networks, high betweenness centrality and more hierarchically structured networks were identified as the most salient partnership characteristics to programmatic success. The network findings were triangulated with previously published qualitative data to provide context. These findings provide valuable insight on how national networks can be designed and leveraged to implement systematic community health projects.

Cost-effectiveness of a statewide public health intervention to reduce cardiovascular disease risk

BackgroundThe cost-effectiveness of community health worker (CHW)-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-reduction interventions is not well established. Colorado Heart Healthy Solutions is a CHW-based intervention designed to reduce modifiable CVD risk factors. This program has previously demonstrated success, but the cost-effectiveness is unknown. CHW-based interventions are potentially attractive complements to healthcare delivery because laypersons implement the intervention at a lower cost relative to medical care and may be attractive in rural settings with limited clinical resources.MethodsCHWs performed screenings and provided ongoing participant support within predominantly rural communities. A point-of-service software tool was used to generate 10-year Framingham CVD risk scores and assist CHWs to make medical referrals and provide ongoing individualized support for lifestyle changes. A sample of program participants returned for reassessment of risk factors. We calculated quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained and program costs using a Markov model. Transition probabilities were calculated using Framingham risk equations or derived from the literature using the observed mean reduction in 10-year CVD risk score over of 37- months follow-up. Program cost-effectiveness was calculated for both at-risk (abnormal baseline CVD risk factors) and overall program populations.ResultsThe base-case scenario evaluating a 52-year-old male participant revealed an incremental cost savings of $3576 and a gain of 0.16 QALYs associated with the intervention. Cost savings were greater in at-risk populations. The economic dominance of the model was robust in multiple sensitivity analyses.ConclusionsA community-based CVD intervention demonstrated to reduce CVD risk is cost-effective. This suggests that population-based public health programs may have the potential to complement primary care preventative services to improve health and reduce the burden of traditional medical care.

Association of Multifaceted Mobile Technology–Enabled Primary Care Intervention With Cardiovascular Disease Risk Management in Rural Indonesia

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of disease burden in Indonesia. Implementation of effective interventions for CVD prevention is limited. To evaluate whether a mobile technology-supported primary health care intervention, compared with usual care, would improve the use of preventive drug treatment among people in rural Indonesia with a high risk of CVD. A quasi-experimental study involving 6579 high-risk individuals in 4 intervention and 4 control villages in Malang district, Indonesia, was conducted between August 16, 2016, and March 31, 2018. Median duration of follow-up was 12.2 months. Residents 40 years or older were invited to participate. Those with high estimated 10-year risk of CVD risk (previously diagnosed CVD, systolic blood pressure [BP] >160 mm Hg or diastolic BP >100 mm Hg, 10-year estimated CVD risk of 30% or more, or 10-year estimated CVD risk of 20%-29% and a systolic BP >140 mm Hg) were followed up. A multifaceted mobile technology-supported intervention facilitating community-based CVD risk screening with referral, tailored clinical decision support for drug prescription, and patient follow-up. The primary outcome was the proportion of individuals taking appropriate preventive CVD medications, defined as at least 1 BP-lowering drug and a statin for all high-risk individuals, and an antiplatelet drug for those with prior diagnosed CVD. Secondary outcomes included mean change in BP from baseline. Among 22 635 adults, 3494 of 11 647 in the intervention villages (30.0%; 2166 women and 1328 men; mean [SD] age, 58.3 [10.9] years) and 3085 of 10 988 in the control villages (28.1%; 1838 women and 1247 men; mean [SD] age, 59.0 [11.5] years) had high estimated risk of CVD. Of these, follow-up was completed in 2632 individuals (75.3%) from intervention villages and 2429 individuals (78.7%) from control villages. At follow-up, 409 high-risk individuals in intervention villages (15.5%) were taking appropriate preventive CVD medications, compared with 25 (1.0%) in control villages (adjusted risk difference, 14.1%; 95% CI, 12.7%-15.6%). This difference was driven by higher use of BP-lowering medication in those in the intervention villages (1495 [56.8%] vs 382 [15.7%]; adjusted risk difference, 39.4%; 95% CI, 37.0%-41.7%). The adjusted mean difference in change in systolic BP from baseline was -8.3 mm Hg (95% CI, -10.1 to -6.6 mm Hg). This study found that a multifaceted mobile technology-supported primary health care intervention was associated with greater use of preventive CVD medication and lower BP levels among high-risk individuals in a rural Indonesian population.

Impact of a community-based cardiovascular disease service intervention in a highly deprived area

ObjectiveTo examine the effects on emergency hospital admissions, length of stay and emergency re-admissions of providing a consultant-led, community-based cardiovascular diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation service, based in a highly deprived...

Cost-effectiveness of a community-based cardiovascular disease prevention intervention in medically underserved rural areas

BackgroundRural women experience health disparities in terms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared to urban women. Cost-effective CVD-prevention programs are needed for this population. The objective of this study was to conduct cost analysis and cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) of the Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities (SHHC) program compared to a control program in terms of change in CVD risk factors, including body weight and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).MethodsSixteen medically underserved rural towns in Montana and New York were randomly assigned to SHHC, a six-month twice-weekly experiential learning lifestyle program focused predominantly on diet and physical activity behaviors (n = 101), or a monthly healthy lifestyle education-only control program (n = 93). Females who were sedentary, overweight or obese, and aged 40 years or older were enrolled. The cost analysis calculated the total and per participant resource costs as well as participants’ costs for the SHHC and control programs. In the intermediate health outcomes CEAs, the incremental costs were compared to the incremental changes in the outcomes. The QALY CEA compares the incremental costs and effectiveness of a national SHHC intervention for a hypothetical cohort of 2.2 million women compared to the status quo alternative.ResultsThe resource cost of SHHC was $775 per participant. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios from the payer’s perspective was $360 per kg of weight loss. Over a 10-year time horizon, to avert per QALY lost SHHC is estimated to cost $238,271 from the societal perspective, but only $62,646 from the healthcare sector perspective. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses show considerable uncertainty in the estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios.ConclusionsA national SHHC intervention is likely to be cost-effective at willingness-to-pay thresholds based on guidelines for federal regulatory impact analysis, but may not be at commonly used lower threshold values. However, it is possible that program costs in rural areas are higher than previously studied programs in more urban areas, due to a lack of staff and physical activity resources as well as availability for partnerships with existing organizations.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02499731, registered on July 16, 2015.