HeartFair
display. Each year, the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation touches the lives of
people throughout the state through its HeartMatters program - a comprehensive
assortment of diverse services designed to increase personal awareness of risk
factors and provide the tools necessary to assist individuals in their pursuit
of heart-healthy lifestyles. In 2001, the Foundation facilitated over 250
individual programs to community organizations, churches, worksites, health care
facilities, schools and other settings. The following represents a sampling of
some of our most popular offerings:
Computerized Health Assessments
The Foundation offers several
computer-based cardiovascular health assessment tools, each of which provides a
comprehensive inventory of individual health risks. These assessments estimate a
participant's personal risk for developing heart disease based on questionnaire
responses to current lifestyle habits and other factors. Physical values from
various health screenings can also be incorporated into the program (blood
testing results, blood pressure and others) to enhance the effectiveness of this
screening instrument. Also, participants receive a telephone contact from a
health professional to provide additional information, support and/or referral
as needed. Group summaries of aggregate results can also be generated for use in
planning follow-up risk reduction programs for targeted audiences at worksites
and other settings. Our most popular tools include the HeartTest™ and the
Cardiac Risk Check™ (CRC).
Health Screening Services
A number of health screening services are
available through the HeartMatters program. The results of all screenings are
interpreted by trained health professionals in both one-on-one and group
settings. Participants are also provided with specific risk reduction
strategies, educational materials, and referral support, when appropriate.
Health screening services include blood lipid/glucose testing, blood pressure
screening and Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments.
Community Speakers Bureau
The speakers bureau consists of a
variety of one-hour PowerPoint presentations that serve to inform and excite
audiences about topics related to heart health. These topics include, but are
not limited to, the following:
- Heart Disease Risk Factors
- Cholesterol/Diet
- Low-Fat Cooking
- Nutritional Supplements
- Weight Management
- Physical Activity/Fitness
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Stress Management
- Women and Heart Disease
- Heart Attack
- Successful Behavior Change
Interactive Educational Displays
The Foundation has developed
several interactive displays for use in educating both children and adults about
heart disease and its associated risk factors. These include:
HeartFair
This educational display focuses on the modifiable risk
factors for heart disease, serving as an exceptional tool for individual risk
reduction. A touch-screen monitor provides individuals the opportunity to
respond to ten true/false questions on heart disease risk factors, identify
areas of personal concern and receive information and encouragement to
successfully modify their behavior.
Prevent First MI
Designed
for use with high-risk audiences, this display educates people about heart
attack or myocardial infarction (MI) detailing specific behaviors and conditions
which contribute to individual risk. Information on the signs and symptoms of
heart attack is also provided. A short video serves to summarize the key
concepts of the display.
HiTECH Heart
The HiTECH Heart display represents the centerpiece of
an interactive school-based heart health education program for elementary-age
students which utilizes a dynamic heart model, age-appropriate lesson plans and
a wealth of support materials to educate 4th grade students about the heart, how
it works and how to take care of it. This program is available to schools
statewide at no cost. Call (612) 863-3839 for more information on the HiTECH
Heart or to schedule a program.
HeartMatters Classes and Workshops
The Foundation has developed and currently
facilitates a wide variety of heart-health education classes, workshops and
support groups that vary in approach from general information to skill building
to formal behavior change offerings. Program topics include smoking cessation,
low-fat cooking, nutrition, diet/weight management, exercise, stress management
and others. These offerings range from 90 minutes to 4 hours in length depending
on the topic, program content and audience needs and utilize the Foundation's
wealth of consumer education resources.
New - Individual Focused Risk Factor Counseling
Based on
the results of a very successful demonstration project, the Foundation is now
offering one-on-one counseling sessions on specific behavior-related topics for
individuals identified as being at high-risk of heart disease. Topic areas
currently include nutrition and tobacco cessation with intentions of expanding
into other risk areas in the near future. The intervention includes an initial
telephone intake followed by an onsite one-hour counseling session facilitated
by a trained health specialist and a three-month telephone follow-up by a nurse
case manager.
Onsite Consulting Services
Cardiovascular health specialists are
available to provide onsite consultation to support the health promotion efforts
of various groups and organizations. Areas of expertise include risk assessment,
program planning and evaluation, policy development (e.g.: smoke-free workplace)
and program promotion.
Telephone Information and Referral Services
Our health education specialists respond daily
to telephone inquiries for information and also provide referrals, when
appropriate, to support individuals in their personal heart health improvement
efforts. The general information line for the Education Services Division is
(612) 863-3739 or toll-free at 1-877-800-2729.
Customized Programs and Services
The Foundation welcomes the
opportunity to partner with outside groups in the development and delivery of
customized health promotion and disease prevention programs. These programs may
include, but are not limited to, presentations, workshops, special events and
interactive health fairs.
HeartMatters…at the Worksite
Any of the above programs are
available for delivery at the worksite. The Foundation views the worksite as an
extension of the community as well as a more effective, controlled setting to
encourage positive lifestyle choices.
For more information on the above offerings or to schedule a program, please
call our education coordinator at (612) 863-1657 or toll-free at
1-877-800-2729.
