Reducing Heart Disease Among Southeast Missouri Residents

Principal Investigator Ross Brownson brownson@slu.edu Project Identifier Core Project, 1998–2004

• Saint Louis University: Prevention Research Center

Researchers developed the Ozark and Bootheel Heart Health Project to train members of 12 community coalitions to promote heath and education activities aimed at reducing residents’ risk for heart disease and other chronic diseases. Activities included cholesterol and blood pressure screening, and tobacco education workshops. Student antismoking poster contests, diabetes education, summer food programs, health education for older adults, and food-tasting fairs were also held. In addition, the coalitions established smoke-free policies and appealed to local governments to enforce the Clean Air Act. Six back-to-school health fairs attracted over 10,000 school children and their families. About 2,500 residents received free cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. One hundred local schools, businesses, and other public facilities established smoke-free policies. About 5,000 children participated in school and church summer food programs. The coalitions also built 25 community walking trails and sponsored aerobics classes, arthritis exercise groups, and community sports teams.