 |
|
| |
| Ranking |
Effective Practice |
| Description |
In 2008, the Florida Heart Research Institute began a cardiovascular community health screening program called Living for Health (L4H). The program targets underserved and uninsured adults in Miami-Dade County, where rates of poverty as well as hospitalizations and deaths due to stroke, heart attack and diabetes are high. The community screenings consist of blood pressure testing and quick finger sticks to check blood for total cholesterol, HDL, and glucose levels. Participants are given a baseline lifestyle survey as well as free counseling regarding their results. They also receive coaching and education about the importance of diet and exercise to reduce their risk. The screening teams are made up of individuals who match the racial and ethnic makeup of the population; educational information is provided in English, Spanish, and Creole.
There are two additional components that differentiate this program from other screening programs:
1. At-risk individuals with no physician are connected to a collaborating Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that will treat them on a sliding-fee scale. Business Associate Agreements are in place which allow for sharing of HIPAA protected information and post clinical data.
2. Phone follow-ups at one, three, six, and 12 month intervals from the initial screening provide an opportunity for further counseling and education as well as obtaining valuable post-test lifestyle data. |
| Goal / Mission |
The goal of the program is to identify medically-underserved people at risk for heart disease, stroke, or diabetes through community based screenings, then encourage healthy lifestyle changes and connect them with medical treatment. |
| Results / Accomplishments |
As of June 2011 (three years from program implementation), over 6,600 people from the target population had been screened. Sixty percent had high-risk clinical values for blood pressure, cholesterol and/or glucose and were referred to a physician for follow up treatment. Among those participants who were followed over time, there were significant increases in fruit, vegetable, and grain consumption as well as significant decreases in smoking, fat consumption, and fast food frequency. Among those people referred for medical follow up who sought treatment at a participating FQHC and for whom there was post 3 month clinical data, 38% moved from high-risk to borderline or normal levels. |
| Categories |
Health / Heart Disease & Stroke
Health / Prevention & Safety
Health / Access to Health Services
|
| Organization(s) |
Florida Heart Research Institute |
| Date of Publication |
2011 |
| Date of Implementation |
May 2008 |
| Geographic Type |
Urban |
| Location |
City: Miami, FL |
| Primary Contact |
Tori Gabriel
4770 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 500
Miami, FL 33137
305-674-3020 ext 3252
tori@floridaheart.org
http://www.floridaheart.org
|
| For more details |
http://www.floridaheart.org/livingforhealth/
|
| Target Audience |
Adults, Racial / Ethnic Minorities, Uninsured |
| Submitted By |
Florida Heart Research Institute |
| Back to Promising Practices Home |
|
|
|
|
