People reducing risk and improving strength through exercise, diet, and drug adherence (PRAISEDD): a case report on long-term single site adoption

• Published in: Translational behavioral medicine Vol. 2; no. 2; pp. 236 - 240
• Main Authors: Michael, Kathleen M, Shaughnessy, Marianne, Resnick, Barbara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.06.2012
• Subjects: Case Study; Cross Cultural Psychology; Family Medicine; General Practice; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Health Psychology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Public Health; Community-based programs; Cardiovascular disease; Physical activity; African-American; Low-income
• ISSN: 1869-6716; 1613-9860
• DOI: 10.1007/s13142-012-0127-6

ABSTRACT African-American and low-income older adults have heightened risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Culturally and socially congruent community-based programs can promote risk-reduction behaviors, including physical activity (PA), and can demonstrate durability. The purpose was to increase lifestyle PA and promote self-management of CVD risk factors in a sample of at-risk older adults and to sustain a PA program within low-income housing. Exercise and education sessions were conducted three times/week for 12 weeks. A community champion was trained to carry on the classes thereafter, with monthly inoculation visits by a nurse and exercise trainer. Outcome measures included attendance and CVD risk factor control. This ongoing community-based program, incorporating peer leadership, inoculation visits, and self-efficacy enhancement, has been sustained for over 3 years with classes one to two times per week and routine attendance of about 12–18 residents. PRAISEDD demonstrates that a community-based PA program can be maintained using within-community leadership, periodic involvement of health care experts, and social support and self-efficacy enhancement.