CDC National Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program

West Virginia
Basic Implementation

The West Virginia Department of Health began receiving funds from CDC in 2008 to support a state heart and stroke prevention program.

Burden of Heart Disease and Stroke

• More than 1 out of 4 deaths in West Virginia are due to heart disease. (National Vital Statistics Report, 2009).
  
• 5,311 West Virginians died from heart disease in 2006 (25.7 percent of total deaths in West Virginia). (National Vital Statistics Report, 2009.)
  
• 1,072 West Virginians died from stroke in 2006 (5.2 percent of total deaths in West Virginia). (National Vital Statistics Report, 2009.)

See the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources' report, The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in West Virginia—July 2001, for more heart disease and stroke burden statistics.

• According to 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey results, adults in West Virginia reported the following risk factors for heart disease and stroke—
  
  • 33.3% had high blood pressure
  • 42.4% of those screened reported having high blood cholesterol
  • 10.8% had diabetes
  • 26.9% were current smokers
  • 68.0% were overweight or obese (Body Mass Index greater than or equal to 25.0)
  • 54.1% reported no exercise in the prior 30 days
  • 80.3% 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.
• Support health care organizations system changes to assure quality of care and implementation of primary and secondary prevention for heart disease and stroke.
• Monitor, implement, and evaluate prevention strategies and programs in health care sites, work sites, and communities.
• Provide training and technical assistance to public health, health care professionals, and partners to support primary and secondary prevention of heart disease and stroke.
• Monitor quality of care for primary and secondary prevention.

State Highlights

• The West Virginia Cardiovascular Health Program (WVCVHP) contracts with the West Virginia University, Office of Health Services Research to provide Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and rural “Health Right” free clinics with software and technical assistance to create: a cardiovascular patient registry, electronic medical records (EMR), or registry/EMR combination that incorporates evidence-based clinical guidelines for hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors and co-morbidities. The 10 Health Right free clinics serve the poor, elderly, rural, uninsured, and underinsured patients in the state. Through the 44 FQHCs and 10 Health Right Free Clinics, approximately 54,925 patients, or 23% of the state’s adult population, receive primary care services. The goal of this project is to improve the quality of care provided to cardiovascular patients in West Virginia. Preliminary patient data shows a significant increase in patients that have high blood cholesterol under control, either through lifestyle changes or treatment. Data also shows an increase in number of patients with chronic diseases being monitored through electronic information systems, which may lead to control of disease outcomes through improved quality of care.
• The WVCVHP is working with the Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to build the infrastructure for electronic data tracking using the Pre-hospital Medical Information System (PreMIS). EMS trainers have been trained on electronic data collection that has been conducted at eight regional sites. In January 2009, only a paper data reporting system was in use across the state. As of July 2010, all EMS agencies have received training on the electronic data system and are actively using and reporting data in the PreMIS system. Electronic reporting by EMS agencies is expected to improve data collection about cardiac and stroke events and lead to improved systems of care and outcomes for patients.

To view county-level data, visit our interactive map site.