Awareness of Heart Disease and the Red Dress Among Women in Georgia Público

Abstract

Background: Heart disease remains the leading cause of mortality among women in the United States. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have launched national RED DRESS brand campaigns aimed at increasing awareness among women about their risk of heart disease. The impact of the Red Dress brand in states with historically higher heart disease death rates is unknown. This study examined the association of RED DRESS symbol recognition and heart disease awareness among women in Georgia.

Methods: A web-based survey was administered to a convenience sample of women between the ages of 30 to 60 residing in the state of Georgia (N=447). A cross-sectional analysis was performed. Associations of Red Dress symbol recognition and heart disease awareness were assessed by chi-square.

Results: Sixty percent of Georgia residents recognized AHA's Go Red Dress symbol, and 83.3% correctly identified the NHLBI's Heart Truth® symbol. Awareness of heart disease as the LCOD in women was significantly associated with GRFW [R=.312, P=.000] and NHLBI Heart Truth® symbol [R=.113, P=.017] identification. Heart disease awareness was associated with risk behaviors including smoking (R=-.108, P=.05) and blood sugar screening (R=.160, P=.00). No significant racial/ethnic differences were found in awareness of heart disease; however behavioral risk patterns were not consistent among four broad racial/ethnic groups studied. While the average BMI in African-American (AA) women was 2% points higher than other racial groups, AA women were more likely to report having their cholesterol checked compared to Non-Hispanic White (NHW) and Hispanic women. AA women were also less likely to be current smokers compared to NHW women. Finally, significant racial/ethnic variations were noted in the GRFW symbol identification with less AA women, recognizing the symbol compared to other racial/ethnic groups..

Conclusions: Over half of the sample women who participated in this online study were able to recognize the Red Dress as a heart health campaign symbol and correctly listed heart disease as the LCOD in women. Awareness was found to be modest among Georgia residents. Further study of regional and ethnic variations in heart disease awareness and risk behaviors is warranted.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction 8

II. Methodology 9

III. Results 11

IV. Discussion 20

V. References 25

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Career Masters of Public Health
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Palabra Clave	cardiovascular disease women's health
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	VanderEnde, Daniel, Emory University
Committee Members	Wenger, Nanette K, Emory University Yang, Zhou, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Does not apply (no collaborating organization)

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