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.
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Tettey, NS., Duran, P.A., Andersen, H.S. et al. “It’s Like Backing up Science with Scripture”: Lessons Learned from the Implementation of HeartSmarts, a Faith-Based Cardiovascular Disease Health Education Program. J Relig Health 55, 1078–1088 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0196-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0196-9