Search Your Heart Program Intervention Mapping, Coursework Example

Background Information

The American Heart Association’s Cultural Health Initiatives include the “Search Your Heart Program”. This program targets the African-American and Hispanic community within the population (Bandura, 2004). This is because according to statistics, African-Americans and Hispanics are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The program aims at educating the African-American and Hispanic communities of the high risk factors that they are naturally exposed to, help the identify them and develop ways of mitigating or averting such risk factors (Bilic, 2005). In order to develop an Intervention Map, one has to understand and integrate behavioural theory.

The table below depicts the different theoretical frameworks that can be applied to develop and design practical strategies to raise awareness and obtained the desired change in behaviour in terms of lifestyle for the African-American and Hispanic communities:

Program Theoretical Methods

The following theoretical methods shall be employed:

Enhancement of health impact by interactive technologies such as Facebook and other social media platforms.

• Socially mediated pathways of influence
• Promoting society-wide changes by serial dramas
• Program Practical Strategies(Bilic, 2005)

Owing to the high-risk that the said sections of the population are exposed to, the program will take a preventive approach towards addressing the issues of coronary disease prevalence. This preventive approach will be engrained in all the activities that will be defined by the program.

Workout Routine

The individuals who will be involved in the program will be encouraged to adopt a workout routine that is suited for their specific dietary and physical needs and limitations. A simple 30 minute exercise manual will be provided that prescribes the physical tasks to be completed.

Diet

The target audience will be encouraged to adopt a diet that will be suited to their particular budgetary limitations.

Don’ts

The target audience will be provided information that will detail the activities and behaviors that will increase their risks of developing coronary complications

(Bandura, 2004)

References

Bandura, A. (2004, April). Health Promotion by Social Cognitive Means. Health Education & Behavior, 31(2), 143-164. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://people.oregonstate.edu/~flayb/MY%20COURSES/H671%20Advanced%20Theories%20of%20Health%20Behavior%20-%20Fall%202012/Readings/Bandura%2004%20HP%20by%20social%20cognitive%20means.pdf

Bilic, B. (2005). The Theory of Planned Behaviour and Health Behaviours: Critical Analysis of Methodological and Theoretical Issues. Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 2, 243-259. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from http://www.pseve.org/journal/upload/bilic2c.pdf