title: "It's Like Backing up Science with Scripture": Lessons Learned from the Implementation of HeartSmarts, a Faith-Based Cardiovascular Disease Health Education Program.
abstract: African-Americans are disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular disease (CVD). Faith-based institutions provide a non-traditional route for health education targeted at African-Americans. This paper describes HeartSmarts, a faith-based CVD education program. Evidence-based literature was used to develop a curriculum, which was tailored by integrating biblical scripture representing aspects of health behaviors. Eighteen church peer-educators were recruited to participate in a 12-week training. They then disseminated the faith-based curriculum to members of their congregations. There were 199 participants of which 137 provided feedback via open-ended surveys indicating that HeartSmarts was well accepted and effective for disseminating CVD health messages while engaging spirituality.
authors: Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, 525 E. 68th Street, Greenberg Pavilion 4th Floor Atrium, New York, NY, 10065, USA. drntettey@gmail.com.
authors: Naa-Solo
authors: NS
authors: Tettey
authors: Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Pedro A
authors: PA
authors: Duran
authors: Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, 525 E. 68th Street, Greenberg Pavilion 4th Floor Atrium, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
authors: Holly S
authors: HS
authors: Andersen
authors: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
authors: Niajee
authors: N
authors: Washington
authors: Center of Excellence in Disparities Research and Community Engagement (CEDREC), Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Boutin-Foster
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012068:Religion and Medicine
keywords: African-Americans; Cardiovascular disease; Faith-based organizations; Health education; Peer-educators