| Heart
disease and stroke prevention funds received
Both Clearwater Valley and St. Mary’s Hospitals were awarded grants from the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program within the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Those monies are made available through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CVHC and SMHC will use the funds to educate residents within Idaho, Lewis and Clearwater Counties about the signs and symptoms of heart attacks and strokes. Over the next year, the Racing Hearts Projects at both facilities will sponsor educational forums and disseminate materials and information about factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol that can lead to heart disease and stroke. As grantees they will be receiving kits to distribute at their educational events. The kits include an insulated grocery tote containing a pedometer, a blood pressure tracking wallet card, a book mark with the signs and symptoms of heart attacks and strokes, a brochure on blood pressure and cholesterol and various other items. “We just received the grant award letter and are looking forward to meeting with our project team members to schedule informational events and brainstorm about the most effective ways to educate area residents,” said Pam McBride, CVHC/SMHC Chief Grants Officer. “Our PT Departments sponsor the Labor Day Kamiah Barbeque Days Race and co sponsor the Camas Prairie Triathlon in Grangeville in mid August. Those are two excellent venues for publicizing the benefits of exercise for all family members.” The grant guidelines also ask that grant recipients publicize the importance of calling 911 immediately when a person exhibits signs of a heart attack or stroke. The earlier these conditions are identified and treated, the better the outcome. “We’ll also be contacting local service organizations to enlist their help in raising awareness about ways to prevent cardiovascular disease, but also how to identify when someone is experiencing a heart attack or stroke,” said Jeanette Gorman, CVHC/SMHC Community Relations Coordinator. “We’ll be talking not only to their members, but asking them to help with outreach by educating family members and friends.” Grants were made available to Critical Access Hospitals throughout the state. The grant timeline runs until March, 2011. |
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