The aim of Health Coaches for Hypertension Control is to improve hypertension self-management through small group educational sessions and support offered by trained Health Coaches. Goals include: Increasing knowledge about hypertension self-management; Increasing stage of readiness to make lifestyle changes required for successful self-management; Promoting behavior changes in nutrition, physical activity, stress management, tobacco use, and medication management. Health Coaches for Hypertension Control consists of eight sessions delivered by Health Coaches using a scripted manual and visual aids. The 90-minute sessions include experiential learning strategies appropriate for those with health literacy challenges. Specific session topics include: Basics of Hypertension Control; Nutrition with emphasis on Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH); Physical Activity with emphasis on creating a personal physical activity plan; Tobacco Cessation; Stress Management; Medication Management; one session about developing short-term action plans and another on creating a long-term action plan. The Nutrition and Physical Activity sessions also include content on weight control. A notebook of activities is provided for each participant which the Health Coach guides the participant in using throughout each session. Main messages covered in each session are reinforced by colorful posters which can be presented in hard copy or electronically. Health professionals may apply to be trained as Master Trainers and those who become certified may then train lay educators to offer the program.

Additional topics include stress management and action planning.

Note: Track health promotion program guidance during COVID-19 regularly for updates to program implementation and training options. Programs traditionally implemented in-person may be temporarily allowable by telephone or online.

• Target audience: People diagnosed with hypertension or concerned about developing hypertension
• Health outcomes:
  • Reduced systolic blood pressure - baseline 146.31 mmHg, post intervention 140.53 mmHg - p=.001
  • Increased consumption of fruits & vegetables - baseline >5 servings 69.3%, post intervention >5 servings 87.6% - p<.001
  • Cope well with stress (Y/N) - baseline "yes" - 65.1%, post intervention 79.1% - p .000
• Delivered by: Trained Lay Leader/Facilitator, Coach
• Program type: Group
• Format: In-Person in Community
• Length: Eight, 90-minute sessions offered weekly or twice weekly
• Training: In-Person
• Professional required: Yes, those with credentials in the health education or healthcare field may apply to be a Master Trainer. Certified Master Trainers may then train others, including lay leaders, to be Health Coaches who can deliver Health Coaches for Hypertension Control to small groups of 8 – 12. 
• Accessibility adaptations available: Yes
• Cultural adaptations available: Yes
• Available in languages other than English: No
• Topic(s):
  • Physical Activity
  • Substance Use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Medication Management
  • Nutrition
• Contact: Cheryl Dye (tcheryl@clemson.edu)

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