The 2002 Bucks County Needs Assessment revealed that 93% of
middle-aged adults in Bucks County possessed at least one risk
factor for heart attack or stroke. This rate is considerably
higher than the national average and caused great concern for
Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership members. A Task
Force was formed to determine what could be done.
In 2003 BCHIP received grant funds to begin initiatives to reduce
heart attack and stroke risk factors among county residents
and a program coordinator was hired.
In Spring 2004, "Hearts and Soles of Bucks County" programs,
promoting daily physical activity and providing information
about heart healthy eating, were held at BCHIP member hospitals.
Between March and November 2004, nearly 700 county residents
participated in these programs. The Bucks County Health Department
provided health screenings and educational lunch presentations
to employees of Lennox in Langhorne, PA with an additional 45
county residents participating through this program.
In 2005, "Hearts and Soles of Bucks
County" has expanded into the wider community. Walking
clubs have been held at churches, schools, and county parks.
Start dates, program locations and specifics are posted in the
What's Happening section.
Identified Risk Factors for Heart Attack and Stroke:
A "health risk factor" is an exposure, behavior, condition or
situation that is associated with a disease.
Smoking
Elevated Cholesterol
Levels
Elevated Blood
Pressure
Obesity
Diabetes
Lack of Physical
Activity
For more information about theCardiovascular
Risk Reduction Project, contact:
Lynn Martinsen
Health Risks Program Manager
BCHIP 1201 Langhorne-Newtown Rd Langhorne, PA
19047
Phone: 267-471-9337
