The goal of this prosed project, led by the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDPHP) Section of the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), is to implement and evaluate evidence-based or informed strategies to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Nevada. The proposed strategies will focus on preventing and managing high cholesterol and hypertension. All work supported under this award will address health disparities for priority populations as a primary and fully integrated part of each strategy.
During the grant period, the CDPHP will implement all the strategies described in the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to improve healthcare quality and outcomes for people with CVD. The activities will utilize evidence-based approaches to CVD management and prevention/risk reduction, including geographic information system (GIS) mapping data and landscape analysis to identify priority populations and policy and systems-level support for the range of approaches. To implement and evaluate the above strategies, the CDPHP will leverage sustainable, statewide multi-sector relationships with partners in Nevada, including Comagine Health, the Roseman University of Health Sciences, the Nevada Business Group on Health, Access to Healthcare Network, and the Sanford Center for Aging at the University of Nevada, Reno, all of whom have experience working with priority populations in the State.
CVD is a significant problem in Nevada as the leading cause of mortality and a significant contributor to morbidity. Over one-third of Nevadans have at least one form of CVD, including many with undiagnosed or poorly managed hypertension, and are at highly elevated risk of a stroke, aneurysm, and heart attack. CVD also affects certain groups in Nevada more than others. The mortality from CVD in urban counties, at 188 deaths per 100,000, is higher than in rural counties (156.9 per 100,000). Other groups likely to be disparately affected by CVD include people who identify as African American (prevalence of hypertension at 40.4 percent and significant cardiovascular disease at 12.5 percent versus 9.2 percent in the general population); people who identify as Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander (5.9% rate of strokes versus the all-race mean of 3.4 percent); and adults older than 65 years (heart disease rates of 14.6 percent).
Building on the accomplishments, outcomes, and lessons learned from the DP-13-1305, DP-18-1815, and DP-18-1817 cooperative agreements, the CDPHP proposes to implement and evaluate evidence-based or informed strategies supporting the expansion of CVD prevention and management programs. CDPHP further proposes to advance the use of health information technology to integrate self-management and prevention programs with support measures shown to improve health and wellness, and healthcare quality and identify populations at the highest risk for CVD while increasing the capacity of individuals, communities, and the healthcare workforce to identify and manage cardiovascular health needs of Nevadans.