CASE STUDY 6

New Dimensions in Womens Health, Ninth Edition

Linda Lewis Alexander, Judith H. LaRosa, Helaine Bader, Susan Garfield, William Alexander

Case Study 6 Understanding and Preventing Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

Imagine that you are an English teacher in a high school in a very diverse community in an

American city. The community residents have emigrated from many different countries in search

of social and economic opportunities. Many of the residents have limited incomes and work in

low-level jobs and struggle with English proficiency. Many firmly believe in the value of education

and make certain that the children attend school.

One thing that you, the teacher, have noticed is that the knowledge of health promotion and

disease prevention is limited. You have decided that you may be able to help them, and possibly

their families, by providing some health education opportunities both in the classroom and in

special after-school meetings.

You decide to develop a health education plan that can be tested initially with a small group of

students and then expanded as you see what works. Having discussed the project with some of the

students, you decide, based on their recommendations, to focus on cardiovascular and cancer risk

factors: smoking, overweight, and exercise in an after-school program.

If you were the teacher, how would you proceed?

Questions

1. How would you design the after-school program: lectures, discussions, presentations by

local advocates, and?

2. How would you market the program to the ninth- and tenth-grade girls?

3. What materials would you design to engage them in learning about the health risks?

4. Would you serve snacks?

Please develop an action plan for a 6-month period of time. Make certain to state your goal and

objectives, the plan for implementing the action, and how you will evaluate the results of the plan.