Improvements in heart health behaviors and reduction in coronary artery disease risk factors in urban teenaged girls through a school-based intervention: the PATH program.

Objectives: We sought to assess the effects of a school-based intervention program on cardiovascular disease risk factors in urban girls.

Methods: We compared heart health knowledge, health behaviors, cardiovascular risk factors, and physical fitness among a group of 442 multiethnic teenaged girls (310 experimental participants vs 132 control participants). Testing was conducted before and after a 12-week program of vigorous exercises integrated with lectures and discussions on diet, exercise, stress, and smoking.

Integrating preventive health services within community health centers: lessons from WISEWOMAN.

Background: Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) provides low-income, underserved women ages 40-64 with risk factor screening and lifestyle intervention and referral services to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). Integrating WISEWOMAN's services with the culturally appropriate medical care and support services offered by community health centers may improve the program's ability to reduce CVD burden among underserved women.

Methods: We conducted a formative assessment of the perceived opportunities, challenges, and strategies associated with integrating WISEWOMAN into community health center settings.