Implementing the WISEWOMAN program in local health departments: staff attitudes, beliefs, and perceived barriers.

Background: Although most health departments recognize the need for programs to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older, low-income women, they face numerous barriers to successfully implementing such programs. This paper explores counselors' attitudes and beliefs about patients and perceived barriers to implementing the North Carolina Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) program.

Methods: Health departments were assigned to provide patients with either an enhanced intervention (EI) or a minimum intervention (MI).