Village HeartB.E.A.T.
Social Issue
Chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are prevalent issues in Mecklenburg County, disproportionately affecting African American communities.
Organizational Challenge
The Village HeartBEAT Program, an initiative by the Mecklenburg County Public Health Office of Health Equity, seeks to address these chronic disease risk factors through faith-based community engagement.
However, to ensure the program’s effectiveness and sustainability, there was a need for rigorous data analysis to assess the impact of the annual fitness competition.
The Evaluation
Common Good Data conducted rigorous third-party analysis with tests of statistical significance to assess changes in health outcomes and ensure the reliability of the findings for the Season 11 competition.
Evaluation data included pre- and post- biometric screening data on a number of health indicators related to cardiovascular disease.
Graph: The most common self-reported risk factors for cardiovascular disease were age, being overweight, having high blood pressure, and having high blood cholesterol.
Key Findings
Season 11 Competition participants, on average, lost weight, reduced their A1C values, and reduced their blood pressure.
Results indicate some promising findings that the work of Village HeartBEAT may be contributing to improvements in health and chronic disease management.
Graphs: Average weight in pounds, A1C, and systolic blood pressure, 2023-24