The NOLA Diabetes Project
The NOLA Diabetes Project is an 8-week education program that operated from January-March 2022. The purpose of the project was to help people living with diabetes to understand more about how to control and manage their diabetes condition, and promote self-care management. The program had no cost for community members and they were reimbursed $100 for their time and travel. We catered portion-controlled diabetic meals. We also sought to develop and strengthen collaborative partnerships among communities, academics and clinicians to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Healthy Heart CPP will begin a second NOLA Diabetes Project in partnership with Sankofa's Fresh Stop health education programs in the fall. We believe that educating communities well about their health will contribute to the elimination of health disparities and lead to a good quality of life. If you are interested in attending the next program, please click "Contact Us" in the menu bar and leave a message.
TEXT MY MEDS NOLA HYPERTENSION RESEARCH STUDY
The Healthy Heart Community Prevention Project (HHCPP) and Tulane University School of Medicine (TUSOM), as community and academic partners, conducted a research study titled "Simple Text-Messaging and Social Support to Increase Hypertension Medication Adherence". The study was submitted for funding to the Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science (LA CaTS) and was approved (January2022) by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The goal of this study is to understand the use of text messaging and patient-physician communication on hypertension medication adherence and quality of life. A wireless BP monitor automatically recorded and tracked a study participant's measurements via a mobile app. Text My BP Meds is a novel approach that combines cloud-based Bluetooth self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) transmission with health communication to significantly improve a patient's medication adherence and SMBP.
Flu Ready NOLA Vaccine Campaign
According to the Louisiana Health Department, the majority of NOLA residents did not receive a flu vaccination from August 1st - October 15th of 2022. The Flu Ready NOLA Vaccine Campaign contributed to a successful citywide campaign that helped achieve a significant number of vaccinated African Americans. Across Orleans Parish, from the start of flu season through January 31st, 87,215 vaccinations were provided with 40,236 vaccinations to African Americans. Prior to the campaign, only 15,076 African Americans were vaccinated. 4 flu and Covid-19 vaccines sites, 1 major hospital and 3 NORD community centers, were used to enable more accessibility for people who have some medical mistrust or hesitancy. Over the course of the four Flu Ready NOLA sponsored events, 610 flu and COVID-19 vaccinations were provided.
Heart Healthy Community Lectures
According to a new study on the US population, cardiovascular disease rates are expected to rise significantly among minorities by 2060. The Healthy Heart CPP places importance on educating communities to increase knowledge and awareness of ongoing health risks to affected populations. We focus on the cardiovascular risk factors such as poor diet, high blood pressure and cholesterol, stress, smoking and obesity.
BP screenings
The Healthy Heart CPP participates in health fairs to help community members understand the need to prevent, manage, and control elevated blood pressure. There are many dangers of elevated blood pressure. Major organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes can become damaged. Elevated blood pressure increases the risk of health issues such as heart attack, heart disease, and stroke.
Community Advisory Boards
Community Advisory Boards (CABS) provide a community perspective to serve as a bridge between communities and researchers. CABS help design the intervention and study activities and implement them in the community. They provide input on barriers, facilitators, and necessary steps for study completion, eventual scale-up without external funding, and future sustainability. Additionally they increase the visibility of study activities in the community to encourage mobilization and adoption.
Healthy Heart CPP participate in two CABS:
- The Church-based Health Intervention to Eliminate Racial Inequalities in Cardiovascular Health (CHERISH)
- (LA CaTS) Center's Community Engagement and Outreach Core (CEO Core)
CHERISH is testing whether a community health worker-led church-based multifaceted implementation strategy for applying the 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease will reduce cardiovascular health disparities in African Americans in New Orleans, Louisiana. The study will generate evidence on effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability of multifaceted interventions aimed at eliminating cardiovascular health disparities in African American populations in the US.
(LA CaTS) Center's Community Engagement and Outreach Core (CEO Core) seeks to enhance clinical and translational research efforts to address chronic disease burden and reduce disparities by facilitating meaningful community involvement in LA CaTS research at all stages.
