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For over fifteen years, The Links, Incorporated has engaged in
creative programs that address many aspects of cardiovascular disease
(CVD) risk factors. In 1995, The Links, Incorporated was one of
nine national organizations selected to participate in the launch
of the country’s first national physical activity initiative,
Project Walking Fete: Make Health A Habit, through a grant
award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Since 2005, The Links Incorporated has proudly collaborated with
the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes
of Health (NHLBI) as a Heart Truth partner. The Heart
Truth campaign is a national awareness campaign for women about
heart disease. The Links, Incorporated was subsequently funded by
NHLBI to implement Heart Truth education programs in the African-American
community, which gave rise to the HeartLinks to Heart Health
signature program.
HeartLinks to Heart Health provides
chapters a unique opportunity to increase awareness and educate
about heart disease, and promote heart-healthy lifestyles throughout
the communities we serve. The program targets African-American women
in local communities and members of The Links, Incorporated in an
effort to motivate women to take personal action to lower or control
their risk for heart disease.
This electronic toolkit has been designed to assist chapters
with implementing heart health programs. It also supports chapters
in enhancing and expanding existing programs that already fit with
elements of HeartLinks.
Goals
- Increase understanding about the seriousness
of heart disease, associated risk factors, and strategies
for preventing heart disease within The Links, Incorporated
and in the communities that Links chapters serve.
Objectives
- Learn what a heart attack is
- Recognize and understand the warning signs and
symptoms of a heart attack
- Learn how to respond to signs and symptoms of
a heart attack through CPR training
- Recognize and understand the signs and symptoms
of a stroke
- Learn what is normal blood pressure
- Learn ways to prevent heart disease
- Understand the benefits of physical activity
in reducing heart disease
- Engage in at least the minimum recommended amount
of physical activity
- Adults need at least 30 minutes per day
- Children and adolescents need at least 60
minutes per day.
- Learn how to choose foods for a heart healthy
diet
Activities and Events to Support goals and
objectives
- Community screening events with community health
partners
- Heart Health Education and Life Style Activity
Sessions from the Every Heartbeat is Life
curriculum
- Individual pre-and post screening for BMI, weight,
and blood pressure to measure participants change
in health habits.
- Annual Red Dress Events for National Heart Month
(February) to raise awareness about the seriousness
of heart disease
- Walk for Healthy Living program
Measurable Outcomes
- Participants will know the signs of a heart
attack
- Participants will strive to have a blood pressure
of 120/80.
- Participants will know the early warning symptoms
and signs of a stroke.
- Each chapter has a minimum of 1 person trained
and certified in CPR.
- Conduct at least 8 heart health educational
sessions using Every Heart Beat Is Life Curriculum.
Use pre- and post-tests for all sessions to measure
change in knowledge.
- Conduct at least 1 Red Dress Event to raise
awareness about heart disease.
Resources
- “With Every Heartbeat Is Life Training” Sessions
- “With Every Heartbeat Is Life” pre- and post-tests
- “With Every Heartbeat Is Life” intervention
activities
- Red Dress Initiative
- Heart Truth Program Community Action Program
- 50 Million Challenge Program created Dr. Ian
Smith
- Walk For Healthy Living Signature Program
- CPR Training
Evaluation
- Number of education sessions conducted
- Number of participants who attended education
sessions and intervention activities
- Participant satisfaction surveys
- Number of participants recruited
- Number of participants retained
- Number of participants screened at baseline
and follow-up
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