Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application/pdf&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&blobheadername2=MDT-Type&blobheadervalue1=inline;+filename=2012-AstraZeneca-HealthCare-Foundation-Annual-Report

Having a Vision
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease is the leading
cause of death in California. Behavioral factors that increase cardiovascular disease risk (eg, poor
diet, physical inactivity, smoking, stress, and limited social networks) are on the rise, and reports
show persistent disparities among Latinos throughout the state. 1 Healthy Families, Healthy Hearts
at Visión y Compromiso improves awareness of heart-healthy habits leading to better nutrition,
increased physical activity, and reduced stress for low-income, underserved Latino families in the
Los Angeles area. Visión y Compromiso integrates the Salsa, Sabor y Salud curriculum developed
by the National Latino Children’s Institute that builds on Latino family values, experiences, traditions,
language, and cultural strengths with its popular Bailoterapia (dance for health) activity for the entire
family to provide culturally relevant and accepted family nutrition and exercise activities to improve
family health. The program also relies on its extensive alliances with community groups, schools,
recreation centers, churches, clinics, and restaurants to accomplish the goal of “community leading
community to improve health outcomes.” It is a family approach to healthy eating and exercise.
Pre- and post-intervention data was available for 565 class participants who took part in the program
in 2012. Of those participants, 90% were overweight or obese at the start of the program. By the end
of their participation, that number dropped to 87%. The percentage of participants who were obese
before the intervention decreased from 57.9% to 50.3%. Equally as important, the Healthy Families,
Healthy Hearts program was able to touch an additional 48,000 Latino residents through secondary
outreach efforts. The Healthy Families, Healthy Hearts program received two years of funding from
the CCH program for a total of $307,200.
1
Health Reports of Bay Area Health Departments in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Napa Counties
Visión y Compromiso is committed to a healthy and
dignified life for all. The Healthy Families, Healthy Hearts
program provides cardiovascular education, nutrition,
and exercise information and real tools in a culturally
and linguistically relevant manner to support healthier
family lifestyles.
SUMMARY
GRANT AWARDEE: Visión y Compromiso
GOAL: To improve awareness of hearthealthy
habits leading to better nutrition,
increased physical activity, and reduced
stress for low-income, underserved
Latino families.
AREA OF FOCUS: El Cerrito, CA
TOTAL GRANT AWARD(S): $307,200
– Maria Lemus, Executive Director, Visión y Compromiso
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