Year 1 Evaluation Report: Norton Healthcare Centers for Prevention and Wellness

Norton Healthcare Centers for Prevention and Wellness operates the Get Healthy Access Program (GHAP) to reduce cardiovascular disease risk and increase access to education and care for residents in low-income communities around Louisville, KY.

This study looked at how well GHAP was implemented as planned and to what extent it has been successful. The study found that components of program success were based on connections made between enrollees and staff, and that personal contact kept participants engaged. Barriers to program participation included enrollee substance abuse and mental illness, or limited time and access to childcare.

Participant outcomes found by the study include:

• 98 percent of participants met with a primary care physician at least one time, indicating increased access to care;
• 25 percent of participants decreased their HbA1c levels, a measure indicating diabetes or pre-diabetes; and
• 51 percent reported increases in weekly physical activity frequency.

Two program changes were made in response to the findings including opening eligibility to those with insurance and to provide incentives for enrollees who completed follow-up surveys and primary care provider visits.