Objective: This study describes the impact of various levels of participation in a nurse-led coalition-based wellness program on participant outcomes related to body mass index, blood pressure, diabetes risk, and lifestyle behaviors in a Midwest rural county.
Design: This descriptive study used de-identified data collected by program staff over a 26-month period to evaluate participant outcomes.
Sample: Participants were predominantly female with a mean age of 49 years; 41% identified as Hispanic.
Measurements/analysis: Lifestyle behavior surveys and biometric screenings were used to collect data. Latent Growth Class Analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.
Intervention: Monthly wellness programming including screenings, health education and referrals were provided to participants at various sites in a rural community.
Results: Over a 26-month period, 3,004 visits were made by 820 participants. Four clusters for participants (n = 287) who had made three visits or more were identified, providing insight into meaningful interindividual differences for repeat participants. Overall, repeat participants either maintained or improved their blood pressure over time. Indirect outcomes including policy, system, and environmental changes were also noted.
Conclusions: Coalitions can positively affect the health of populations through these types of programs at the individual and population level.
Keywords: academic-community partnerships; health care coalitions; health promotion; health status disparities; minority health; nurse-led; rural health.
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