DEVELOPING AND EVALUATING A CARDIOVASCULAR RISK REDUCTION PROJECT

Development and baseline data are described from a community-based int ervention to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rural Missouri. Mo rtality data revealed a concentration of CVD deaths, and local coaliti ons are being developed in counties in this region to reduce the preva lence of CVD risk factors. A comprehensive evaluation strategy is bein g used to document potential changes in risk factors and community nor ms. Components of the evaluation strategy include outcome evaluation u sing a risk-factor survey; intermediate evaluation through community m onitoring; and process evaluation through case studies, network analys is, formative and implementation assessment. The methods described in this paper may assist other similar projects.