CDC National Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program

Hawaii
Capacity Building

The Hawaii State Department of Health began receiving funds from CDC in 2008 to support a state heart disease and stroke prevention (HDSP) program.

Burden of Heart Disease and Stroke

• Nearly 1 out of 4 deaths in Hawaii are due to heart disease. (National Vital Statistics Report, 2009).
• 2,244 Hawaiians died from heart disease in 2006 (23.8 percent of total deaths in Hawaii). (National Vital Statistics Report, 2009.)
• 665 Hawaiians died from stroke in 2006 (7.1 percent of total deaths in Hawaii). (National Vital Statistics Report, 2009.)

See the Hawaii State Department of Health's report, The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Hawaii 2007, [PDF-322K] for more heart disease and stroke burden statistics.

• According to 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey results, adults in Hawaii reported the following risk factors for heart disease and stroke—
  
  • 28.8% had high blood pressure
  • 36.3% of those screened reported having high blood cholesterol
  • 7.7% had diabetes
  • 17% were current smokers
  • 56.8% were overweight or obese (Body Mass Index greater than or equal to 25.0)
  • 49% reported no exercise in the prior 30 days
  • 71.3% ate fruit and vegetables less than 5 times a day

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

• The Hawaii Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (HDSP) program continues to develop, maintain, and enhance partnerships for the purpose of developing a statewide heart disease and stroke prevention plan. Hawaii’s HDSP Strategic Planning Steering Committee was convened April 2010. Work groups were established to develop plan objectives and strategies for various settings, including pre-hospital and acute care systems, primary care systems, rehabilitation, and work site. The HDSP program convenes and facilitates work group meetings and on-going communications to develop the statewide heart disease and stroke prevention plan.
• An assessment completed in 2010 of Hawaii’s hospitals’ heart and stroke acute care capacity identified recommendations to improve heart disease and stroke quality of care. This collaborative effort by the University of Hawaii and healthcare partners—including cardiologists, neurologists, emergency nurse managers, and emergency management professionals—led to incorporation of planning committee member recommendations in the development of the heart disease and stroke prevention plan.
• The HDSP program completed an assessment of barriers to using emergency rooms and calling 911 among individuals who have limited English ability or are low income urban or rural residents. The assessment’s results are being used to develop strategies for the state’s heart disease and stroke prevention plan to improve the utilization of 911 among target populations.
• The HDSP program is a member of Hawaii’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition. The coalition advocates for systemic changes in physical activity and nutrition. The HDSP program is working with the coalition to develop salt reduction strategies for Hawaii.
• The HDSP program is a member of the New York City led National Salt Reduction Initiative. The HDSP program salt awareness materials will be displayed on Hawaii’s health department web site. The objective is to provide awareness of the importance of salt reduction in health care and school settings.

To view county-by-county data visit our interactive map site.