HealthMatters™ Program is an evidence-based health promotion program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Through our community-academic partnerships, we aim to provide high quality evidence-based and evidence-informed health promotion programs and training for people with IDD and their supports in health-friendly communities.

Stay tuned for more information about the Virtual Coach HealthMatters Program. 

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: Target audience includes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their support persons who are employed in day/residential/employment community-based programs serving people with IDD (direct support professionals, Case managers, Licensed social workers, Health care professionals, Community health workers, Certified fitness instructors, Lay leaders, Students).
• Health outcomes:
  • Outcomes (Efficacy University-Based Clinical Trial) – Adults with IDD in Intervention group – Participation in HealthMatters^TM Program led to improved attitudes and psychosocial outcome among people with IDD (Heller, et al., 2004; Rimmer, et al., 2004).
    • Increased exercise attitudes
    • Increased exercise self-efficacy
    • Increased exercise outcome expectations
    • Increased life satisfaction
    • Increased cardiovascular fitness, strength and endurance
    • Decreased cognitive–emotional barriers
  • Outcomes (Effectiveness Community Based Train the Trainer Project) – Certified staff in CBOs can effectively implement a HealthMatters^TM Program for people with IDD with improved outcomes (Marks, Sisirak, & Chang, 2013).
    • Increased perceived health behaviors
    • Increased exercise self-efficacy
    • Increased nutrition/activity knowledge
    • Increased cholesterol & glucose
    • Increased fitness (flexibility)
    • Increased exercise & nutrition socio-environmental supports
  • Outcomes (Effectiveness Community Based Train the Trainer Project) – Certified staff in CBOs can also benefit from training and implementing a HealthMatters^TM Program for people with IDD with improved outcomes (Marks, Sisirak, Chang, & Murphy, 2019).
    • Increased social/environmental supports for nutrition
    • Increased exercise outcome expectations
    • Increased nutrition outcome expectations
    • Increased fruit and vegetable intake
    • Increased knowledge of fruit and vegetable intake recommendations
    • Increased stages of change for eating fruits and vegetables
• Delivered by: 1-3 Certified Instructor, at least one Certified instructor per 1-4 participants with IDD
• Program type: Group. Some case management organizations have implemented programs to individuals.
• Format: In-person at home, in-person in community recreational centers, worksites, and day programs. Due to COVID-19 HealthMatters^TM Program is now being offered with a hybrid approach using a virtual platform.
• Length:
  • HealthMatters™ Program: Certified Instructor Workshop Webinar (6 hours, 90 minutes over 3 days, 90 minutes offline work)
  • Health Matters: The Exercise and Nutrition Health Education Curriculum for People with Developmental Disabilities (Curriculum) 12-Week HealthMatters™ Program– three 1.5-2h sessions per week (4-6 hours per week) for 12 weeks, total 36 lessons
• Training: Online (In-person training available upon request) 
• Professional required: No
• Accessibility adaptations available: Yes, incorporating principles of Universal Design and Universal Design Instruction.
• Cultural adaptations available: Yes
• Available in languages other than English: Not at this time
• Topic(s):
  • Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia
  • Behavioral Health – advocacy
  • Chronic Disease
  • Falls Prevention
  • Medication Management
  • Nutrition
  • Pain Management
  • Physical Activity

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