LEGISLATIVE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH CHECK - A MULTIDISCIPLINARY HEALTH PROMOTION EXPERIENCE FOR SOUTH-CAROLINA LAWMAKERS

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has conducted a Legislative Cardiovascular Health Check for the past 4 yea rs. The primary purpose of the event, held in the lobby of the State C apitol Building, is to increase the awareness of State legislators abo ut the leading causes of death in South Carolina and about community-b ased health promotion services that are available. The health check em phasizes the relationship between modifiable risk factors and the deve lopment of heart disease, cancer, and stroke. These legislative events are organized by State health department staff members, but they are conducted by local health department personnel from throughout South C arolina. This approach is intended to build the capacity of these loca l staff members to communicate more effectively with their legislators and to carry out similar events at the county or community level. The health check is staffed by a trained multidisciplinary team, includin g persons designated as legislative liaisons. The liaison people conta ct legislators prior to the event and provide them with health status data specific to their respective districts. The Legislative Cardiovas cular Health Checks have been attended by members of the General Assem bly and their staffs, members of the Governor's staff and the Lieutena nt Governor's office, and other employees of the State Capitol. An ave rage of 380 people have participated annually. Screening activities ha ve included blood pressure and blood cholesterol checks, with risk fac tor counseling and educational materials provided to each screened par ticipant. During the past year, activities were expanded to include a variety of interactive exhibits related to nutrition, exercise, and sm oking. Feedback from participants has been positive. The Legislative C ardiovascular Health Check is encouraged and supported by the upper ma nagement of the State health department and is now established as an a nnual event of mutual benefit to legislators and to State and local he alth department staff members.