Elsevier

Preventive Medicine

Volume 29, Issue 4, October 1999, Pages 229-237
Preventive Medicine

Lead Article
Knowledge of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: An Analysis from Two New England Communities

https://doi.org/10.1006/pmed.1999.0532Get rights and content

Abstract

Background. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality has been decreasing in the United States, possibly due in part to educational programs about CVD prevention. This study investigates CVD risk-reduction knowledge among demographic subgroups in two New England cities and how the level of knowledge changed in these subgroups over time.

Methods. Six independent cross-sectional surveys including a series of open-ended recall CVD knowledge questions were conducted biennially from 1981 to 1993 as part of the outcome evaluation for the Pawtucket Heart Health Program. We constructed a raw CVD knowledge score and then created an analysis of variance model with knowledge score as the dependent variable and explanatory variables including demographics, survey, and city.

Results. CVD prevention knowledge improved significantly over time in both cities and in every demographic subgroup, increasing rapidly from 1981 to about 1988 and then plateauing between 1988 and 1993. Adjusted knowledge scores were higher for people born in the United States, women, more educated individuals, and those who spoke English at home. The increase in knowledge over time came mainly from an increase in the identification of physical inactivity, and blood cholesterol/high fat diet as CVD risk factors, while there was a decrease in the identification of overweight and blood pressure.

Conclusions. In order to assure that reductions in CVD morbidity and mortality will be sustained, national educational efforts which stress behavior change skills as well as knowledge must continue. These programs should focus particularly on higher risk subgroups, and risk factors such as weight reduction and blood pressure control should be special priorities.

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    This work was supported in part by Grant #HL23629 from the Pawtucket Heart Health Program. The authors acknowledge the following individuals for their help with the manuscript: Dr. Henry Feldman, Sandra Brissette, Darlene LaRue, and the staff of PHHP.

    1

    To whom correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed at Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Fax: (401)-729-2494. E-mail: [email protected].

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