Research & Planning for Harris County Public Health

Mya Hyman
Purdue University
Diana Hearit
 The Harris County Public Health (HCPH) here in Houston, has a mission “to build and

sustain a healthy, safe community for residents and their loved ones,” (Harris County Public

Health, n.d.) To do so, we must clearly communicate and educate our community. COVID-19 is

not the only virus or disease hospitalizing individuals and causing fatalities. According to the

Center for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the number one cause of death for women in

the United States. Heart disease covers heart attacks and conditions like arrythmias. There are

several risk factors and lifestyle choices that could increase one’s chance of developing a heart

disease or condition. Heart disease is not totally preventable, but one can take preventative

measures to reduce their risk of developing a heart disease or condition. Typically, men come

first to men when discussing heart attacks. It is easier to recognize heart attack symptoms in men

than women – if one knows them. How is a semi-preventable the number one killer of women in

the United States? I would assume the cause is lack of education. I recommend the HCPH

implements an educational campaign.

Target Audiences

This educational campaign will target four target audiences in the Houston metro area.

According to the U.S. Census Quick Facts, the Houston mero area has a rough population of

more than two million people (U.S. Census Bureau, 2018). Women make up about half of that

demographic. It estimates that 57 percent of the population are white, and 22 percent are African

America/black. Roughly 67 percent of the population are between the ages of 18-65.

Target Audience One – African American/Blacks and White Women

 The first target audience consists of African American/black and white women in the

Houston metro area. Yes, this is a large target audience size, but they are affected the most.

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for African American and white women,” (CDC,

2020). For a preventable disease, I call that a crisis, or major issue. One goal should be to

educate these groups about heart disease and conditions. The key messages for this group include

education about heart disease and conditions and preventative measures.

Target Audience 2 - Women with Pre-existing Risk Factors & Smokers

With COVID-19, persons with pre-existing conditions and older have a higher risk of

contracting the virus and may suffer more. Risk factors for heart disease include high blood

pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and family history (National Heart, Lung, and Blood

Institute, n.d.). The CDC reported about half of all people in the United States (47%) have at

least one of the first three risk factors. (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2020). Half of

the population are already on the path to possible heart health issues. We need to make sure they

know this. The goal for this audience is to increase their awareness of their risk for heart disease.

Target Audience 3 – Women Aged 35-55

Aforementioned, risk factors increase your chance of developing heart disease and ‘[f]or

women, age becomes a risk factor at 55,” (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, n.d.). Age

becomes a risk because women develop risk factors during middle age. This could be due to

biology and/or not leading a healthy lifestyle. This target audience should be encouraged to

monitor their health and avoid an unhealthy lifestyle that includes smoking, physical inactivity,

excessive drinking, and an unhealthy diet (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2020). It is
also important to educate them on the symptoms of heart attack. An American Heart Association

survey reported that little respondents recognized heart attack symptoms and one in three women

would not call 911 if experiencing them. One cannot help nor save them self if they do not

recognize when they’re in danger.

Target Audience 4 – Young Adults (17-25) & Parents

“Prevention is the best way to avoid a heart problem later in life,” (Texas Heart, n.d.).

Medical professionals say it is better and easier to prevent something than treat it. Young adults

are more reckless in their lifestyle choices. “In 2019, about 31 of every 100 high school students

(31.2%) reported current use of a tobacco product,” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

2019). This combined with the increased use of electronic vapes are more than likely the driving

factor behind the legal age to purchase tobacco products going up (at least in Texas). We must

educate young adults and their parents on health disease risk factors for young adults. Smoking

could lead to heart disease in as many as 75 percent of cases in young adults (Texas Heart

Institute, n.d.). Managing your risk factors and lifestyle changes as early as possible is the best

way to reduce the risk of a young adults, or anyone, developing heart disease.

References

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. (2020, January 31). Women and Heart Disease.

Retrieved from CDC- Heart Disease:

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/women.htm?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fww

w.cdc.gov%2Fdhdsp%2Fdata_statistics%2Ffact_sheets%2Ffs_women_heart.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, December 10). Youth and Tobacco Use.

Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youth_data/tobacco_use/index.ht

Harris County Public Health. (n.d.). Harris County Public Health. Retrieved from Office of

Communications, Education & Engagement:

https://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/About/Organization/OCEE

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d.). Listen to Your Heart: Learn About Heart

Disease. Retrieved from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Website:

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-truth/listen-to-

your-heart

Texas Heart Institute. (n.d.). Heart Disease Risk Factors for Children and Teenagers. Retrieved

from Texas Heart Institute: https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-

center/topics/heart-disease-risk-factors-for-children-and-teenagers/

U.S. Census Bureau. (2018). QuickFacts - Houston, TX. Retrieved from U.S. Census Bureau:

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/houstoncitytexas