Kentucky Against Stroke and Heart Disease (KASH)
The KASH committee works to utilize and implement evidence-based prevention strategies. Through continued community education from member organizations of the KHDSP Task Force, the KHDSP Program’s goal is to use consistent prevention messages throughout the Commonwealth to decrease the number of heart disease and stroke incidents in Kentucky. The Cardiovascular, Assessment, Risk-reduction and Education (CARE) Collaborative is implemented by the KASH committee with the goal of reaching the community, worksites, and health care facilities with these prevention strategies. The CARE Collaborative seeks to increase the number of individuals in a community with controlled blood pressure in order to decrease the risk of cardiovascular events. This is accomplished by increasing the number of adults age 18 years and above who have their blood pressure measured and can state whether it is normal or high. Through educational encounters, the CARE Collaborative provides strategies for identifying and lowering high blood pressure. This free blood pressure awareness program is being utilized by partners statewide.
The CARE Collaborative can be implemented in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, health departments, physical activity centers, worksites, pharmacies, private practice, churches, self-management programs, etc. However, each setting that wishes to implement the CARE Collaborative program must be trained and authorized by the Kentucky Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program. This program seeks to implement effective prevention strategies with an emphasis on community-clinical linkages. The KASH committee works continually to review, evaluate, and update these prevention efforts.
KASH Subcommittees
The standardized messaging subcommittee exists within the Kentucky Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force to create a simplified resource library for use within any healthcare organization or community outreach program.
The Health Literacy is a subcommittee of KASH that aims to develop tools to educate individuals and increase their understanding of their numbers and what they mean.
Special Projects
Big Sandy CAREs
Big Sandy Healthcare has implemented a Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring (SMBP) program using their trained Community Health Worker (CHW) staff. Using a specially designed curriculum, the CHW provides one on one education to those enrolled in the program.
CARE Direct
The CARE Direct program is designed to help give participants the appropriate resources to lower and monitor their blood pressure. Patients receive a free automatic blood pressure monitor with 6 monthly encounters that can be completed in person or telephonically with the option to enroll for an additional 6 months in Enhanced Maintenance.
CARE to CHEER
To provide inclusive programming, CARE partnered with Project CHEER to create universally designed adaptations in the programming to promote broader accessibility and inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
HTN Clinic
The clinic provides in-depth chronic disease monitoring, education, and continuity of care for patients diagnosed with prehypertension and HTN.
CARE Works
HealthWorks provides comprehensive healthcare to corporate clients and their families. The CARE Collaborative is uniquely implemented in their corporate wellness program.
Norton CAREs
Norton Healthcare has embedded the CARE Collaborative into their Faith & Health Ministries, Prevention and Wellness and Women’s Health departments.
Committee Chair Gina Brien
Appalachian Kentucky Health Care Access Network (AKHCAN)
Gina Brien serves as the Executive Director for the Appalachian Kentucky Health Care Access Network (AKHCAN) with the mission of increasing the number of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Kentucky through training and technical assistance. She is a member of the state CHW workgroup, KDPH Asthma Leadership Team, Kentucky Asthma Partnership, and the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Association of Community Health Workers (KYACHW). Gina has over 12 years of public health experience from previously serving as the Health Education Director with the Montgomery County Health Department.
Organization Representation
