Cardiovascular disease risk assessment and prevention in blood donors.
BACKGROUND
Blood centers have implemented public health initiatives, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening, to improve donor and community health and serve as an incentive to donate.


METHODS
CVD risk screening and counseling were performed at mobile blood drives in diverse neighborhoods. Risk factors were determined by point-of-care testing (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and hemoglobin A1c levels), interviews, and physical examinations (body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure). Results were confidentially relayed to participant by health counselors. A 60-day follow-up survey was sent to some participants.


RESULTS
Over 11 months, 2406 participants (44% male; mean age 28 ± 16; 67% minority racial/ethnic group) were screened at 290 mobile drives. A total of 92% of participants had medical insurance. A total of 14% had none, 26% one, 33% two, and 27% three or more risk factors. A total of 72% of teenage participants had at least one risk factor. A total of 18% of participants who were taking medications for risks were poorly controlled. A total of 15% had newly identified risks. A total of 711 participants completed follow-up survey: 21% sought medical care, 51% were motivated to change their lifestyle, 81% were pleased with screening, 48% were more likely to donate, and 62% recommended donation to friends and family because of the screening.


CONCLUSIONS
CVD risk screening and counseling can occur during a mobile blood drive. A majority of participants screened had risk factors. Follow-up surveys showed that the program was well received. Further studies are planned to evaluate long-term effects of the program on donor health and donor return rates.
New York Blood Center, New York, New York 10065, USA.
Debra A
DA
Kessler
Caroline
C
Ortiz
Kathleen
K
Grima
David
D
Vlahov
Vijay
V
Nandi
Robert
R
Jones
Christopher D
CD
Hillyer
Beth H
BH
Shaz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001782:Blood Donors; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003376:Counseling; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008952:Mobile Health Units; D009042:Motivation; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult