Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Kentuckians with cognitive or mobility limitations experience higher health disparities than the
general population (Disability Health Data System, 2013). Most alarming is that Kentucky ranks higher
than the national average on levels of obesity, high blood pressure, and rate of use of blood pressure
medications. Among people with disabilities, Kentucky has the highest rate of COPD in the US.
Nutritionally, Kentuckians are also falling behind the general population with regard to consumption of
fruits and vegetables (CDC State Indicator Report, 2014). A review of NHANES data from 2001-2010
found that adults with disabilities are more likely to have hypertension, even after controlling for
sociodemographic and health care access. This disparity, and the variation by disability type, can be
explained by behavioral risk factors such as obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity that co-occur with
or worsen the effects of hypertension and regularly affect people with disabilities. To address these
concerns, Community Health Education and Exercise Resources (CHEER) aims to: 1) strengthen
existing collaborations across the state through enhancement of resources that infuse principles of
universal design for learning (UDL); 2) build new connections between state and local partners via an
active statewide advisory network and community wellness committees, and; 3) nourish environments
that promote a culture of health and wellness for all, with an emphasis on individuals with intellectual
disabilities through implementation of a multi-site health promotion program. This multi-pronged
approach with an emphasis on leadership of self-advocates will ultimately enhance the ability of all
partners to ameliorate these startling health disparities.
An integral component of CHEER will be to develop, promote, and implement a multi-faceted,
evidence based health promotion program targeting individuals with intellectual and other disabilities
along with their community of supports. Educational components from Kentucky Department of Public
Health initiatives in the areas of nutrition and hypertension will be combined with the HealthMatters
curriculum. Curricula adaptations will include universal design for learning (UDL) methodologies to
impact targeted groups to support the broadest array of learners. The curriculum will be offered in four
regions of the state across a minimum of eight locations currently providing supports for individuals with
intellectual and other disabilities. The overarching goal of this initiative is to provide individuals
interactive educational opportunities to enhance self-advocacy and empowerment to make healthy
lifestyle choices through improved nutritional choices and physical fitness activities, thereby impacting
the high rate of need for hypertensive medication. Through the provision of appropriately adapted
training in nutrition and physical fitness, coupled with on-going technical assistance, it is hypothesized
that positive outcomes will include: (1) a decreased necessity for hypertension medication; (2) a decrease
in hypertension medication dosage levels; (3) a stabilization and maintenance of blood pressure in
acceptable ranges without progression to the need for hypertension medication; (4) changes in individual
weight and reduced levels of obesity; (5) increased levels of physical mobility; (6) an overall change in
the organizational environment that promotes healthy lifestyles and self-efficacy for all individuals within
the organization; and (7) lasting partnerships within the community. These efforts will promote a culture
of health through education, resource development and sharing through community health fairs.
Committed partners in this effort include the Kentucky Department of Behavioral Health,
Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, Division of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities;
Kentucky Department of Public Health; the Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky-
Kentucky’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities; the Rehabilitation Research
and Training Center on Developmental Disabilities and Health; the Commonwealth Council on
Developmental Disabilities; Medicaid home and community based waiver provider agencies; University
of Kentucky (Colleges of Health Sciences & Education); ARC of Kentucky; and the Kentucky
Department of Protection and Advocacy.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 7/1/17 → 6/30/18 |
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