This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 39/5/1583    most recent STROKEAHA.107.503557v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Zahuranec, D. B. Articles by Brown, D. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Zahuranec, D. B. Articles by Brown, D. L. Related Collections Primary prevention Behavioral Changes and Stroke

(Stroke. 2008;39:1583.)
© 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.

Research Letters

Stroke Health and Risk Education (SHARE) Pilot Project

Feasibility and Need for Church-Based Stroke Health Promotion in a Bi-Ethnic Community

Darin B. Zahuranec, MD; Lewis B. Morgenstern, MD; Nelda M. Garcia, BS; Kathleen M. Conley, PhD; Lynda D. Lisabeth, PhD; Grace S. Rank, RN, BSN; Melinda A. Smith, DrPH; William J. Meurer, MD; Ken Resnicow, PhD Devin L. Brown, MD

From Stroke Program (D.B.Z., L.B.M., N.M.G., L.D.L., M.A.S., W.J.M., D.L.B.), University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Mich; Department of Epidemiology (L.B.M., L.D.L.) and Department of Health Behavior and Health Education (K.R.), University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Mich; School of Health Promotion and Human Performance (K.M.C.), Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Mich; Diocese of Corpus Christi (G.S.R.), Corpus Christi, Tex.

Correspondence to Devin L. Brown, MD, University of Michigan Stroke Program, Cardiovascular Center, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, SPC #5855, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5855. E-mail devinb{at}umich.edu

Background and Purpose— We performed a pilot project to assess the need for and feasibility of a church-based stroke risk reduction intervention in a predominantly Mexican American community.

Methods— Participants were recruited after each mass on a single weekend from 2 Catholic churches in Corpus Christi, Texas. Questionnaires about personal stroke risk factors and interest in program participation were completed, and blood pressure screening was performed.

Results— A total of 150 individuals participated (63% Mexican American, median age 62). A substantial majority (84%) were interested in being part of a long-term church-based health education project. Blood pressure was >139/89 mm Hg in 50 of 78 (64%) of individuals with a self-reported history of hypertension, and in 17 of 69 (25%) of individuals without known hypertension, with no ethnic differences in blood pressure. Mexican Americans were younger, had a higher BMI, and were more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.

Conclusions— There is substantial burden of stroke risk factors in these predominantly Mexican American church communities. Church-based health interventions may be a way to reduce stroke in this at-risk population.

Key Words: cerebrovascular accident • hypertension • medicine • Mexican Americans • religion