Reducing CVD

JOHNSON CITY (April 9, 2018) – Efforts are under way across the region to engage community members in developing a research agenda to address cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Central Appalachian region. This region includes 228 counties in Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. 

Funding for the project, secured by Dr. Hadii Mamudu, an associate professor in East Tennessee State University’s College of Public Health, is being provided by the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Awards program, an initiative of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The $250,000 award will fund two years of community engagement and agenda development efforts in the region. 

Mamudu leads the project team, which includes Dr. Timir Paul, an assistant professor from ETSU Cardiology Services and ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine; Drs. Liang Wang and Mary Ann Littleton, associate professors in the ETSU College of Public Health; Ginny Kidwell and Kris Bowers, from the Tennessee Institute of Public Health; and Amy Poole, project coordinator. Other collaborators include Rob Gregory from Karing Hearts Cardiology, Lynn Frierson and Carl Voigt from Mended Hearts CVD-patient Advocacy Group, and Vicki Casenberg from Cumberland Marketing Inc.  

The goal of the project is to provide a forum where patients, caregivers and community stakeholders guide the conversation about strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in the region. The team is conducting group discussions and interviews within this community, with the priorities that emerge informing the topics covered during the CVD Appalachia Conference to take place at the Millennium Centre on Aug. 30.  

Patients, caregivers, health care providers, public health professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders are joining in the collaboration. Visit www.etsu.edu/cvdappalachia to find out more about how to get involved. Click on the links to register for the free conference (includes meals) or to submit an abstract for consideration for the Poster Presentations session. The first 50 patients to register will receive a $20 incentive.

For more information, email cvdappalachia@gmail.com.