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(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