Running head: HEALTH CAMPAIGN 1
Health Campaign
Debbie Fernando
HCS/535
June 17, 2013
Dr. Michelle Clemons

HEALTH CAMPAIGN 2
Health Campaign
According to “Heart Disease and Stroke” (2013), “Heart disease is the leading cause of
death in the United States. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
Together, heart disease and stroke are among the most widespread and costly health problems
facing the Nation today, accounting for more than $500 billion in health care expenditures and
related expenses in 2010 alone. Fortunately, they are also among the most preventable” (para. 2).
Populations included in data
The data collected was for male and female, ages from 0 to 85 and over, geographical
locations (metropolitan and non-metropolitan), marital status, and race. The races included
American Indian, Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, White, Hispanic or
Latino, Not Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, not Hispanic or Latino, and White,
not Hispanic or Latino.
Data collection
The data was collected from the years 2007 through 2010. The data revealed a slight
decrease in deaths from heart disease from the year 2007 to 2010. In 2007, the total number of
deaths was 126 (per 100,000 populations). In 2010, the total number of deaths from heart disease
was decreased to 113.6 (per 100,000 populations). The decrease applied to both male and female
populations, with the males going from 165.4 to 151.3 over the 4 year period. The females went
from 95.7 to 84.9 during the same time period. Figure 1.0 shows this data.
There was also a slight decrease from 2007 to 2010 in the ages of eighteen to the eighty-
five and over age groups. The under eighteen age groups revealed that the data did not meet the
criteria for statistical reliability, quality, or confidentiality. The data also revealed that people
who had never married had a higher death rate from heat disease than their counterparts who had

HEALTH CAMPAIGN 3
been married. The death rate decreased by those divorced, widowed, and married, respectively.
However, each of these populations also decreased in the number of deaths from 2007-2010.
Figure 1.0 shows the decrease in number of heart disease
related deaths from 2007-2010
0
50
100
150
200
2007 2010
Total
Male
Female
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013c.
Epidemiology
According to "Excite" (2004), Epidemiology defined is "the study of the distribution and
determinants of health-related states in specified populations, and the application of this study to
control health problems” (para. 5). Epidemiology encompasses all health determinants including
lifestyle, race, gender, social environment, educational level, genetics, and more. It deals with
populations rather than individuals. Epidemiology examines the entire make up of a community to
collect and analyze data to help public health officials in decision making, interventions, and
outcomes. The entire work of epidemiology is to make the populations of the United States a
healthier people who can enjoy life to the maximum. “Most epidemiologic inference occurs through
comparisons of disease frequency among populations who have unique differences of person, place,
and time” (Foss, Fine, Amy, & Zuniga, 2005, pg. 72, para.1). Of all the ways to measure data, the 2
most important are incidence and prevalence. These 2 measurements have the main effect on the

HEALTH CAMPAIGN 4
actual health care of a population. There are many other measurements, but these 2 are the most
effective for public health care professionals. Heart disease in the United States is best measured by
incidence and prevalence because although people do have determinants beyond their control, there
are many determinants that they can control to prevent heart disease.
Agencies which address heart disease
On the federal level, the CDC is one agency that attempts to inform and educate the populations
on the effects and prevention of heart disease. The CDC has several systems it uses to gather and
share data. One is the Chronic Disease Graphical Information System (GIS) Exchange. This system is
responsible for supplying information for a forum for public health managers, and map makers to
share information, to obtain GIS training and resources. Another system the CDC uses is a Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System. This estimates self-reported risk factors that states can access
online. The CDC also hosts an interactive web site that features heart disease in different countries
(para. 10).
 Another great source of information the CDC provides to state and local agencies is called Epi
Info. Epi Info is software with core ad-hoc epidemiologic functions. It can be used in places where
the staff has no IT support or limited network connectivity. Epi Info enables data collection, has GIS
mapping capabilities, and allows for advanced statistical analyses. Best of all, it is free for any
community. Epi Info is used in many Public Health Schools around the world. It allows collaboration
between local, state, national and international partners. It is used by state epidemiologists and other
health organizations. The user of Epi Info does not require a huge amount of computer knowledge. It
was designed as user-friendly software that can read and analyze data in many different formats. The
information can be saved, shared, added to, and converted into different types of tables or graphs

HEALTH CAMPAIGN 5
(“Epi Info” 2013, para. 2).

Local Public Health Services
According to "Community Service Programs" (2013), Tennessee strives to lessen the
burden of cardiovascular disease and improve the cardiovascular health of Tennesseans via
changes in policy and environment. Cardiovascular Health program promotes heart healthy
lifestyles by addressing whole populations, risk groups, and individuals. As always, the emphasis
is on prevention. There is an ongoing effort between state, public, private and volunteer health
agencies being developed (Community Service Programs” 2013, para. 1). “If you have heart
disease or you’ve suffered a stroke, keeping your body healthy and strong has never been more
important. Remember, you can start where you are regardless of your current fitness level. It’s
never too late to get fit! First, as always, talk to your health care provider before you begin”
("Getting Fit While Coping with Chronic Disease", 2013, para. 3). The local health department
is the best place for most people, especially non-medical people, to go to find information on
heart disease and prevention. Anyone can walk in and get information. There are brochures and
literature, and nurses to answer questions. Local hospitals are another great source of obtaining
information; especially those that are affiliated with medical schools. They are always looking
for people use to train their medical students and residents. Most cities will have a free clinic
that the uninsured can visit and learn about heart disease.
Many health care workers are reaching retirement age. There are steps in progress to
make certain that there are public health care workers to take their places. One such step is a
training center in Johnson City, TN called LIFEPATH. It is affiliated with East Tennessee State

HEALTH CAMPAIGN 6
University College of Public Health. One of the health determinants in this area is geographical.
This area is medically underserved. The mission of LIFEPATH is to provide collaborative
partnerships between Tennessee’s academic public health training providers and Tennessee’s
public health workers. It also provides training. “LIFEPATH serves the entire state of Tennessee
and the southwestern counties of Virginia. Tennessee has diverse socioeconomic and
geographical characteristics that stretch from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi
River. This creates unique challenges for health care” ("Tennessee Public Health Training
Center", 2013).
The American Heart Association, although nationally recognized, provides functions for
communities. Through these activities, they can collect and analyze data for that particular
community. They have a Go Red for Women campaign alerting people to the warning signs of
heart disease in women. They sponsor luncheons in local communities to provide information
and answer question. This is yet another way they collect data. The AHA has a Heart Walk in
different communities. Their “My Life Check Assessment” is way for people to assess their own
health while also providing information to the AHA ("Celebrate 10 Years", 2013).
Conclusion
Heart disease is the number 1 killer of people today. Epidemiology provides information
on determinants that affect the chance of any given population remaining free of heart disease.
There are many surveillance systems federally and locally that gathers and analyzes data to
determine what the chances are of any given population to remain heart healthy. There are
organizations that offer education and assistance to communities who have the determinants that
are prerequisites to heart disease. It is only through education, lifestyle changes, and a
population’s desire for good health that changes can be made. If everyone listens and tries their

HEALTH CAMPAIGN 7
best to be heart healthy, populations of the United States and around the world can remove heart
disease from being the main cause of death in the world.

HEALTH CAMPAIGN 8
References
Celebrate 10 years. (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/JohnsonCity/Tennessee/Home_UCM_GSA0
34_AffiliatePage.jsp
Community Service Programs. (2013). Retrieved from
http://health.state.tn.us/healthpromotion/index.html
Epi info. (2013). Retrieved from http://wwwn.cdc.gov/epiinfo/
Excite. (2004). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/excite/classroom/intro_epi.htm#defined
Foss, P. J., Fine, D. J., Amy, B. W., & Zuniga, M. A., (2005). Managerial epidemiology for
health care organizations (2nd ed.). : .
Getting Fit While Coping with Chronic Disease. (2013). Retrieved from
https://www.getfit.tn.gov/get-fit-with-chronic-disease.aspx
Heart disease. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/heart.htm
Tennessee public health training center. (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.etsu.edu/cph/tnphtc.aspx