Promoting healthy behaviors to prevent chronic disease in Panama and Trinidad & Tobago: results of the women as agents of change project.

In order to address the growing burden of chronic diseases in the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization implemented the Women as Agents of Change project in Panama and Trinidad & Tobago. The project focused on low income, middle aged women and promoted increased physical activity, intake of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and yearly screening for cervical cancer. One hundred women per country participated in the 6 week program which consisted of weekly meetings and participation in a behavior change curriculum.