<I>Salud de Corazon</I>: Cultural Resources for Cardiovascular Health Among Older Hispanic Women

Abstract

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Hispanic women has been substantiated across studies. While many studies have focused on the impact of these risk factors, few qualitative studies have addressed cultural and contextual meanings of cardiovascular health promotion in this population. This research explored cultural resources for cardiovascular health promotion among older Hispanic women. A qualitative descriptive methodological design using focus groups with 7 Hispanic women was used. Culture provided an overarching perspective, guiding identification and choice of resources and supports in order to promote cardiovascular health. Themes included Living Tradition, Caring for Family, Connecting with Friends, Having Faith, and Moving as Life. Data provide an initial step toward generating a more complete understanding of perceived cultural resources for cardiovascular health in older Hispanic women. Researchers and clinicians are increasingly recognizing that individuals, families and communities uniquely define cultural and contextual meaning of cardiovascular health promotion.

Spirituality and Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior among Latino Men and Women in Massachusetts

“…Because spirituality plays such a vital role in the lives of Latino adults, considerably more research is needed in order to understand the extent to which using spiritual messages both in and out of faith-based organizations may serve to influence the behavior change process. 40,42 There are several limitations to this study. First, study findings are from a cross-sectional survey, thus causal relationships could not be tested.…”

“…[36][37][38][39] Successful faith-based physical activity interventions have included group-based programs with spiritual messages from church leaders in order to establish a deep connection with participants' culture and values to improve retention and behavior change. 36,[40][41][42][43][44][45] However, to our knowledge, there are no faithbased interventions that focus on reducing sedentary behavior among Latinos. Because spirituality plays such a vital role in the lives of Latino adults, considerably more research is needed in order to understand the extent to which using spiritual messages both in and out of faith-based organizations may serve to influence the behavior change process.…”

Using a Mixed-Methods RE-AIM Framework to Evaluate Community Health Programs for Older Latinas

“…Although walking is one of the most popular activities among Latinas and has been incorporated into a number of interventions (Brennan, Kumanyika, & Zambrana, 2014; Larsen, Noble et al, 2015; Perez et al, 2012), home exercises, especially resistance training, have received much less attention. Resistance training should be encouraged among older adults because it has been shown to improve their quality of life and sense of independence (Chodzko-Zajko et al, 2009).…”

“…Community-based interventions to prevent and control chronic diseases and conditions among Latinos have begun receiving increased attention among public health investigators (Ahn et al, 2013; Cargo et al, 2011; Draper, Kolbe-Alexander, & Lambert, 2009; Eisenmann et al, 2011; Goh et al, 2009; Kakekagumick et al, 2013; Merrill, Aldana, Greenlaw, Salberg, & Englert, 2008; Plotnikoff, Costigan, Karunamuni, & Lubans, 2013; Porter, Fischer, & Johnson, 2011; Valenzuela et al, 2011). Perez, Fleury, and Shearer (2012); Ickes and Sharma (2012); and Larsen, Noble, Murray, & Marcus (2015) review interventions aimed at promoting physical activity among Latinos. A number of interventions have relied on promotoras to deliver exercise/walking classes or to educate community members about strategies for increasing physical activity.…”