BACKGROUND: Established in 2013, the Alabama WISEWOMAN (WW) program’s goal is to reduce cardiovascular risk factors among underserved women between the ages of 40 and 64 in Mobile County, Alabama. African Americans make up 41% of the population in Mobile County. Interventions are focused on the unhealthy behaviors of physical inactivity and smoking, as well as,-factors contributing to heart disease (obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol). This program recruits underserved women receiving medical care from the Mobile County Health Department and Franklin Primary Health Center. For the first two years, 77% (660 of 859) of WW enrollees have been African American. More than half (354/660) of this minority group have completed the WW program. Reviewing the qualitative assessment may provide insight on how to improve the effectiveness of the Alabama WW program.
METHODS: The Alabama WW program is designed to be completed annually. At baseline screening, blood tests and other indicators measure the participant’s risk of cardiovascular disease. After baseline screening, the medical staff will conduct a risk reduction counseling session. This counseling will evaluate the readiness of change as well as set specific health goals for the WW participant. A minimum of three Health Coaching sessions will then occur between a designated social worker and the WW participant. The health coaching sessions will provide educational materials, motivational support, and needed referrals. The effectiveness of the Alabama WW is evaluated through the comparison of the baseline test measurements against measurements obtained during the WW participant’s most current visit. This approach also measured the effectiveness of home blood pressure monitoring.
RESULTS: For the most current WW year, an estimated 47% (138/295) decreased their body mass index. Approximately 53% (76/143) showed a drop in blood pressure and moved from the hypertensive category to pre-hypertension or normal. Finally, a total of 98 hypertensive WW participants were issued blood pressure monitors. Among this group, 64 WW participants returned for another visit. Of these who returned, approximately 75% (48/64) decreased either their systolic or diastolic blood pressure readings by at least five points.
CONCLUSIONS: The results have shown that Alabama WISEWOMAN is having a positive impact among the target population. This data does show opportunities for improvement in the WW completion rates.