title: Improving cardiovascular health of underserved populations in the community with Life's Simple 7.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this nurse practitioner (NP) led initiative was to improve the cardiovascular health of two underserved populations in the community using the American Heart Association (AHA) Life's Simple 7 and My Life Check (MLC) tools.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two inner city community sites were targeted: (a) a senior center servicing African American (AA) older adults, and (b) a residential facility servicing homeless women. Preprogram health data (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose levels, body mass index, and health behaviors) were collected to calculate MLC scores. Postprogram health data were obtained on participants with the lowest MLC scores who completed the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eight older adults completed the program with a 37.1% increase in average MLC score (6.2 vs. 8.5). Ten women completed the program with a 9.3% decrease in average MLC score (4.3 vs. 3.9). Favorable benefits were observed in the AA older adults. In contrast, similar benefits were not observed in the women, which may be because of a constellation of social, environmental, biological, and mental health factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NPs are prepared to target community-based settings to address the health of underserved populations. Engaging key stakeholders in the planning and implementation is essential for success.
authors.affiliation: Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Marcia Pencak
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Lola
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coke
authors.affiliation: Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Staffileno
authors.affiliation: Facing Forward to End Homelessness, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Janis D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Southeast (Atlas) Senior Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tillotson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses'; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011322:Primary Prevention; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: Cardiovascular; coaching; community; disparities; health promotion; lifestyle; risk modification