Magic City Stroke Prevention Project (MCSPP)

Funding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services/NHLBI/Office of Minority Health

Total Amount: $2,4000,000/4 years (actual)

Percent Effort on Project: 15% per year

Funding Period: 08/30/2004 – 8/31/2008

Role on Project: Principal Investigator and Director

Project Description: The grant will support a new initiative aimed at reducing the excessively high rates of stroke, stroke disabilities and stroke deaths that disproportionately occur in the southeastern region of the United States. The SBEI represents a collaborative effort among all HHS agencies and is part of the Closing the Health Gap Initiative, which seeks to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare. The SBEI consists of four core interventions including development and implementation of a community-wide awareness and education campaign, a communications network that informs individuals of the availability of free blood pressure screening activities, a component for health professionals that emphasizes improvement of blood pressure control rates for persons with hypertension, and a component for health systems and health plans that emphasizes improvement of blood pressure control rates for persons with hypertension. Through the use of a methodology that integrates community partnerships, sound social theory, community practice and community-based evaluation, the Magic City Stroke Prevention Group will work with public and private organizations to develop and implement programs aimed at achieving the outcomes of preventing and controlling hypertension and lowering the stroke rate in Central Alabama. Specific tasks are to provide the leadership and oversee all project activities, work closely with DHHS, work closely with project collaborating partners, lead the data and evaluation efforts, lead the project’s Steering Committee, and work with project staff and partners on writing and publications.