Objectives

The long-range goal of this research program is to prevent the development and progression of heart disease in at-risk children and their parents. The specific objective for this project was to identify and reduce the health belief barriers to an existing cholesterol and health screening program (CARDIAC).

Questions this NHLBI-funded research project planned to answer:

• What are the common beliefs about health held by 5th graders and their parents?
• How do these health beliefs influence decisions to participate in CARDIAC and other health screening programs?
• What information can be given to families to increase their participation?
• How should that information be communicated?
• Will a program that is “tailored” to health beliefs improve participation?