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01-06-2016 | Original Paper

“It’s Like Backing up Science with Scripture”: Lessons Learned from the Implementation of HeartSmarts, a Faith-Based Cardiovascular Disease Health Education Program

Authors: Naa-Solo Tettey, Pedro A. Duran, Holly S. Andersen, Niajee Washington, Carla Boutin-Foster

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 3/2016

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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Title: “It’s Like Backing up Science with Scripture”: Lessons Learned from the Implementation of HeartSmarts, a Faith-Based Cardiovascular Disease Health Education Program
Authors: Naa-Solo Tettey
Pedro A. Duran
Holly S. Andersen
Niajee Washington
Carla Boutin-Foster
Publication date: 01-06-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0196-9

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“It’s Like Backing up Science with Scripture”: Lessons Learned from the Implementation of HeartSmarts, a Faith-Based Cardiovascular Disease Health Education Program

Abstract

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