CDC National Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program

Colorado
Capacity Building

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment began receiving funds from CDC in 2000 to support a state heart disease and stroke prevention program.

Burden of Heart Disease and Stroke

Nearly 1 out of 4 deaths in Colorado are due to heart disease. (National Vital Statistics Report, 2009.)
6,124 Coloradans died from heart disease in 2006 (20.7% of total deaths in Colorado). (National Vital Statistics Report, 2009.)
1,532 Coloradans died from stroke in 2006 (5.2% of total deaths in Colorado). (National Vital Statistics Report, 2009.)

See the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment report, The Impact of Heart Disease and Stroke in Colorado—May 2005 [PDF–5.3M], for more burden statistics.

According to 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey results, adults in Colorado reported the following risk factors for heart disease and stroke:
- 21.1% had high blood pressure
- 33.5% of those screened reported having high blood cholesterol
- 5.3% had diabetes
- 18.7% were current smokers
- 55.7% were overweight or obese (Body Mass Index greater than or equal to 25.0)
- 45.3% reported no exercise in the prior 30 days
- 74.2% ate fruit and vegetables less than 5 times a day

Heart disease and stroke risk factors among adults—Colorado compared with the United States.

Risk Factor	Colorado	Nationwide (States and D.C.)
Eat fruits and vegetables less than 5 times/day	74.2	75.6
Overweight or obese	55.7	62.9
No moderate or vigorous physical activity	45.3	50.5
High total blood cholesterol	33.5	37.6
High blood pressure	21.2	27.8
Cigarette smoking	18.7	19.8
Diabetes	5.3	8.0

Key Responsibilities

Facilitate collaboration among public and private sector partners, such as managed care organizations, health insurers, federally funded health centers, businesses, priority population organizations, and emergency response agencies.
Define the burden of heart disease and stroke and assess existing population-based strategies for primary and secondary prevention of heart disease and stroke within the state.
Develop and update a comprehensive state plan for heart disease and stroke prevention with emphasis on heart-healthy policies development, physical and social environments change, and disparities elimination (e.g., based on geography, gender, race or ethnicity, or socioeconomic status).
Identify culturally appropriate approaches to promote heart disease and stroke prevention among racial, ethnic, and other priority populations.
Use population-based public health strategies to increase public awareness of the heart disease and stroke urgency, the signs and symptoms of heart disease and stroke, and the need to call 9-1-1.

State Highlights

In April of 2008, Colorado—through its Prevention Services Division, Center for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention—became one of four states designated by CDC as a pilot site for the Chronic Disease Integration Project. This integration effort is a strategic planning process that involves the following programs
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
- Comprehensive Cancer
- Diabetes Prevention and Control
- Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
- Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
- Oral Health
- Tobacco Prevention and Education
The goals of this integration project are to improve health outcomes related to chronic disease and risk factors, as well as to strengthen the state health department’s infrastructure that addresses chronic disease prevention efforts. The first product of the strategic planning process is the 2009-2013 integrated work plan. The plan builds on the strategies within each categorical program and recognizes where shared purpose, functions, and strategies can lead to increased efficiency and effectiveness in reaching target populations.
Colorado was one of two states to participate in the initial National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, CDC, and Duke University program, which sought to increase state capacity to build Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The project examined geographic disparities in heart disease and stroke amongst local communities. Using the GIS model, the program developed customized maps that have been used to
- Address priorities of state health departments.
- Enhance partnerships functionality both externally and internally.
- Recruit new partners.
- Tailor policies and programs to the specific needs of communities disproportionally affected by heart disease and stroke.
The Heart Disease and Prevention program coordinates a state-level cardiovascular coalition that includes members from health care organizations, government agencies, professional organizations, and minority health groups. The Cardiovascular Health Coalition developed a 10-year strategic plan that helps to guide program efforts. Current efforts focus on prevention, as well as detection and management of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.