STROKE BELT INITIATIVE - THE TENNESSEE EXPERIENCE

African Americans have a higher rate of stroke than other U.S, populat ion groups. As part of the II-state ''Stroke Belt'' region, Tennessee has the fifth highest death rate from stroke in the country. In 1993, a two-year community-based project was initiated to reduce the inciden ce of stroke and ifs associated risk factors among African Americans. Three counties, Shelby (Memphis), Davidson (Nashville), and Hamilton ( Chattanooga), were selected as project sites because of their large Af rican American populations. Specific objectives of the project were to promote risk factor awareness in African Americans, assist African Am erican churches and community groups in developing anti implementing i ntervention programs, and build the capacity for intervention programs within African American communities by collaborating with a variety o f community organizations. This article describes the program's approa ch, which included using both adults and youth as mentors. In addition , it presents major accomplishments and lessons learned in project imp lementation.