Preventing Heart Disease, Empowering vulnerable Communities

The Healthy Heart Community Prevention Project, Inc. is a 501C3 tax exempt non-profit organization incorporated in Louisiana, 2002.  In 1994 the Project was initially conceived as a 1-yr pilot program funded by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute through the National Medical Association’s (NMA) Healthy People 2000 Program to serve as a model for primary cardiovascular risk reduction and community-based health screening and intervention in the New Orleans African American community.   The program coordinated by Dr. Daphne Ferdinand, enlisted the support of local NMA physicians, various community agencies, and volunteers which blossomed into a coalition to lead and implement the Project.

The Healthy Heart CPP developed multiple program activities within a year starting with a phenomenal kickoff activity conducting health screenings at the annual Bayou Classic football game.  Major components of the Project were: blood pressure education and screening in neighborhood barber and beauty salons, and extensive training for salon owners, health Sunday sermons led by Church pastors, CEU administered professional seminars on hypertension and lipids targeting healthcare professionals,  and a physician referral directory listing all participating physicians, clinics, hospitals distributed to participants receiving screening tests at health fairs. Over 1350 community participants and sports fans were screened for hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes in addition to receiving valuable health advice and education from experienced health professionals and trained lay persons throughout that year.