Marie Vazquez Morgan

Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, USA

Abstract Title:Sustainability of a Community Placed Program to Decrease Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the Black Population

Biography: Dr. Morgan serves as the Director of Institutional Wellness at LSU Health Shreveport. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy, a Masters in Health Sciences, and an Academic Doctorate in Health Studies. She has 30 years of rehabilitation experience and has presented research nationally and internationally, on wellness, and rehabilitation. She was honored by Maybelline as Outstanding Female Educator of the year, and featured in People Magazine in December 2006. Dr. Morgan was the 2014 recipient of the Allen A Copping Teaching Award, and is the inaugural holder of the 2020 Cole Endowed Professor in Community Initiatives.

Research Interest: Purpose/Hypothesis: Many American communities lack environments that support healthy dietary behavior and regular physical activity. Louisiana ranks 4th in the nation for obesity at 40.1%, with higher obesity rates among the Black population (46.5%). Further, the percentage of adults reporting sedentary behavior is higher in Louisiana than in the US population. Louisiana has higher national death rates with obesity related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, and diabetes according to the CDC. Community placed programs targeting at risk populations have proven effective in reducing cardiovascular risk factors, however sustainability of these programs have been a challenge. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if community health organizer (CHO) training, performed in a community setting can provide sustainability of an existing community-based health program. Number of Participants: 4 adult participants with history of participation in the Eat Right and Move Phase 1 program were enrolled in the study. Materials and Methods: Core competency training included education on communication skills, and conducting individual and community assessments. Outcome measures included: LACHON evaluations, nutrition and exercise self efficacy surveys, attendance sheets, and retrospective surveys for program participants. Results: Results from this study display positive effects on CHO competencies and self-efficacy, and sustainability of the program, shown through increased growth in participants, throughout 6-month program. Program effectiveness was displayed by 97% of the program participants stating they felt better after participating in the program including having increased endurance, decreased stress, and weight loss. The majority of participants also reported a daily increase in eating fruits and vegetables and a decrease in consuming sugary drinks. Clinical Relevance: Results from this study display that community-placed programming done in conjunction with trained CHO’s, can be effective in sustainability and effectiveness of a program targeting cardiovascular risk factors in the Black population residing in a food/physical activity desert. Keywords: Obesity, Community programs, Community health organizers