NEW - Submissions for the 2012 Texas Cardiovascular Health Promotion Awards are now being accepted.
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The Texas Cardiovascular Health Promotion Awards recognizes community-based programs, schools, worksites, and health care entities that promote innovative and effective programs and policies for prevention and/or awareness of CVD and/or stroke in Texas communities. For more information, contact Council on CVD and Stroke Support Staff.
Increases in the rates of physical inactivity, poor dietarychoices, diabetes, high blood cholesterol and obesity, as well as the continued high prevalence of hypertension and the use of tobacco contribute to these diseases each year. Community-based programs are often our first lineof defense, helping to inform, educate, and provide resources and assistance to the people of Texas in addressing the reduction of these major risk factors.To that end, the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, in conjunction with the CVD & StrokeProgram of the Texas Department of State Health Services, is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’sTexas Cardiovascular Health Promotion Awards. This award is designed to recognize outstanding cardiovascular health promotion programs in Texas, especially those using evidence-based practices.
2011 Winners
Outstanding Program Award: East Texas Stroke Initiative, Memorial Health System East Texas-Lufkin, Texas
A partnership between Memorial Health System East Texas (MHSET) and The Methodist Hospital (TMH) Houston, Texas. The East Texas Stroke Initiative was been made possible by a 3 year, 5.8 million dollar grant funded by the TLL Temple Foundation. Now in its second year, the program has accomplished four of five goals: Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification with no recommendations for improvement; the establishment of widespread Community Education for Stroke Prevention Strategies, Signs & Symptoms and Medical Urgency; an 11.5 percent increase in t-PA administration rate to qualified candidates with an ischemic stroke; and decreasing the length of stay overall for stroke patients to one day.
The fifth goal is to reduce regional stroke mortality rates from 197 out of 100,000 people to 150 within 5 years. The Texas Council on CVD and Stroke applauds the ambition of the East Texas Stroke Initiative, and supports its efforts to achieve that goal.
Honorable Mention Awards
Angelina County Public Health Coalition – Stroke Education
All of East Texas is located in the Stroke Belt - a region in the southeastern United States recognized by public health authorities for having an unusually high incidence of stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease. Angelina County is located in Public Health Region 5; statistics show that this area of Texas is above the state average in mortality from stroke, heart disease and cardiovascular disease.
Working in conjunction with a large local medical community and a newly opened CVD/Stroke Center located at Memorial Health System of East Texas in partnership with The Methodist Hospital in Houston, the Angelina County Public Health Coalition created a pilot project with funding from the Texas Department of State Health Services to create an educational campaign to reduce mortality and morbidity in regards to stroke.
In ten months, the Angelina County & Cities Health District reached out to 91 businesses, churches, civic groups, and healthcare entities -- with a total of 2,700 direct contacts in the community. Radio and television-based media engagement has been outstanding, reaching every corner of Angelina County with information regarding the signs and symptoms of stroke, calling 911, knowing your blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and how to decrease your risk from stroke.
Denton County Diversified Cardiovascular Health Initiative
Working within the SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time Bound) from the Texas Plan to reduce CVD and stroke of 2008, the community-driven Denton County Healthy Communities Coalition focused on three major components to the Denton County Diversified Health Initiative:
- The Third annual Denton County “Take the First Step” 5 K/1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, which attracted more than 700 participants (up from 300 the previous year), and reached out to 1,000 people and businesses in a single day.
- The Denton County Cardiovascular Health Summit held on August 26, 2010 which brought hundreds of professionals together to address the role of CVD in the community, the creation of a toolkit for participants, identifying resources to address CVD risk factors in the community and finding three ways that Public Health could partner with the community to address CVD risk factors.
- The creation of the Denton County Healthy Communities Coalition. Comprised of public health officials, school representatives, health care providers, fitness organizations, and many others, the mission statement of the coalition is “To improve the health of Denton County residents through disease prevention and health promotion”.
Eddy Scurlock Stroke Outreach Program – The Methodist Hospital, Houston
In 2005 as a result of the region’s high stroke prevalence, The Methodist Hospital took a community focused approach towards stroke care. Community stroke education was executed through a comprehensive stroke outreach program which targeted at-risk populations, EMS and other first responders, healthcare professionals, community hospitals, schools, and large employers.
The Program reached 11,000 people last year in the following ways:
- A community stroke awareness walk- The Strides 4 Stroke Walk at Rice Stadium, now in its fifth year, attracting 4,000 participants.
- Two full-time Stroke Outreach Program Coordinators charged with providing stroke education throughout metropolitan Houston and south central Texas.
- Collaboration for stroke education with area community hospitals developing their own stroke programs.
- Collaboration for community education and awareness with city, county, and state based organizations.
Interested in applying for 2012?
Information and applications will be available in Fall 2011. For more information, contact Council on CVD and Stroke Support Staff.
We know that there are many excellent cardiovascular health promotion programs in Texas. Thank you for your work in making your communities healthier!