 |
|
|
|
|
State Program: District of Columbia
Capacity Building
The District of Columbia Department of Health began receiving funds from
CDC in 2001 to support a heart disease and stroke prevention program.
Burden of Heart Disease and Stroke
-
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the District of Columbia,
accounting for 1,666 deaths or approximately 28% of the state's deaths in
2002. (National Vital
Statistics Report 2004;53(5)).
-
Stroke is the third leading cause of death, accounting for 279 deaths
or approximately 5% of the state's deaths in 2002. (National Vital Statistics Report 2004;53(5)).
-
According to Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey
results, adults in the District of Columbia reported the following
risk factors for heart disease and stroke:
In 2005,
- 27.1% had high blood pressure
- 31.5% of those screened reported having high blood cholesterol
In 2006,
- 8.1% had diabetes
- 17.9% were current smokers
- 54.6% were overweight or obese (Body Mass
Index greater than or equal to 25.0)
- 22.1% reported no exercise in the prior 30 days
Key Responsibilities
- Facilitate collaboration among public and private sector
partners, such as managed care organizations, health
insurers, federally funded health centers, businesses,
priority population organizations, and emergency response
agencies.
- Define the burden of heart disease and stroke and assess
existing population–based strategies for primary and
secondary prevention of heart disease and stroke within the
state.
- Develop and update a comprehensive state plan for heart
disease and stroke prevention with emphasis on heart–healthy
policies development, physical and social environments
change, and disparities elimination (e.g., based on
geography, gender, race or ethnicity, or socioeconomic
status).
- Identify culturally appropriate approaches to promote
heart disease and stroke prevention among racial, ethnic,
and other priority populations.
- Use population-based public health strategies to
increase public awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart
diseases and stroke, the urgency of early treatment for
heart disease and stroke,
and the need to call 9–1–1.
|
District Highlights
- The Cardiovascular Health Program (CHP) established a CHP Task Force
to evaluate Cardiovascular Health Program activities and formed a Policy
Work Force Sub-committee, which began the process of legislative action
towards amending current policies identified as barriers to optimum
cardiovascular health.
- The program developed the Cardiovascular Forum which provides a
neutral venue for diverse stakeholders to work together to plan,
implement, and evaluate, regional programs to improve the following
basic categories:
- Prevention of cardiovascular disease
- Identification of undiagnosed persons with cardiovascular disease
- Access to appropriate care for cardiovascular disease
- Communication within and between the stakeholder groups
- Quality of cardiovascular care given, including patient satisfaction
with care
- Role of the patient, their support systems, and the healthcare
community in managing patient care
- The Forum's goal is to improve prevention, detection, evaluation, and
treatment of
cardiovascular disease in the Maryland, District of Columbia, and
Northern Virginia region, with special attention to the goal of
eliminating disparities in healthcare and health outcomes in the region.
- The program, together with District of Colombia’s Fire Department
and Emergency Medical Services, and American Heart Association,
administered the Capitol Area Pre-hospital Stroke Study. A major outcome in the study
illustrated the need for additional training for first responders in
acute stroke recognition symptoms and treatment pre-hospital arrival.
That outcome has led to a contract (via an outside vendor) to provide
training instruments for first responders. This initiative will directly
improve the emergency response of the first responders.
To view heart disease and stroke data by
wards for the District of Columbia, visit our interactive map site at
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/library/maps/statemaps.htm.
Page last reviewed: December 5 , 2007
Page last modified: December 5, 2007
Content source: Division for Heart Disease and Stroke
Prevention,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion |
|
