ETR’s materials on conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cardiovascular health are presented in clear language that does not “dumb down” or oversimplify the information. The explanations are complete enough to help your community understand the foundations of their health issues and how to prevent or treat problems.
Heart disease and stroke, along with other cardiovascular diseases, are among the most widespread and costly health problems in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death, and stroke is the fifth leading cause of death.
Fortunately, heart disease and stroke are also among the most preventable chronic diseases. Some of the known risk factors for heart disease and stroke include the following:
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Overweight and obesity
Each of these risk factors can be monitored easily with regular health checkups. And there are clearly identified ways to prevent the risks or treat them.
Even though the chronic disease risk factors and prevention measure are well known, it can be difficult for people to adopt healthy lifestyle changes. Part of the challenge of understanding and adopting healthier habits could be related to how difficult it is for people to comprehend and remember health information.
Studies show that our ability to comprehend information declines when we’re in a doctor’s office or health clinic. One study showed that up to 80% of patients forget what their doctor tells them as soon as they leave the office. And according to the Institute of Medicine, nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have difficulty understanding and using health information.
People of all literacy levels have difficulty understanding information when they’re facing their own or a loved one’s stressful health situation. Learning about risk factors for chronic diseases can be very stressful.
ETR’s materials on conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cardiovascular health are presented in clear language that does not “dumb down” or oversimplify the information. The explanations are complete enough to help clients understand the foundations of their health issues and how to prevent or treat problems. With our materials, you can send your clients home with take-away messages to help them remember what they need to know.
