Project Abstract Summary
The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) is pleased to submit this proposal for WISEWOMAN: Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation of WOMen Across the Nation (CDC-RFA-DP-23-0003) funding. This proposal builds on the successes of the previous cooperative agreement with a focus on health equity and addressing social needs and barriers to improving cardiovascular health.
The purpose of this proposal is to improve cardiovascular health with a focus on hypertension among National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program members in Vermont aged 35-64 and to improve processes within the Vermont WISEWOMAN program and among WISEWOMAN providers to accelerate CVD risk prevention, detection, control, and management. The program will screen for cardiovascular risk, assess social needs, and connect program members to resources to mitigate social support barriers.
Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Vermont and Vermonters who are low and middle income, living with a disability, or living in rural/isolated settings have increased rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, and high cholesterol (BRFSS 2020). For this proposal, priority geographic areas with the highest needs are Orleans, Rutland, Bennington, and Franklin counties. Priority populations include Vermonters who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC), Vermonters living with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ Vermonters.
The desired outcomes include to reduce disparities in cardiovascular disease and hypertension control among WISEWOMAN participants in Vermont and to increase utilization of social services and support among WISEWOMAN participants at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Vermont expects to conduct cardiovascular disease risk assessments to 340 eligible participants in year program year 1 with an annual increase of 5%. We will refer participants to social support services and expect 50% of participants to assess the services. Vermont will work with 18 funded WISEWOMAN provider sites to use their electronic health records systems to track and refer to clinical and social services for the program participants and improve their standardized processes to address the social services and support needs of the participants.