CHS Study Examines
Cardiovascular Health
By ftahrira Jones
Chronicle Staff Writer
The risks of heart disease and strokes
are especially high in the African
American community. These al arriving sta
tistics have prompted the Bowman Gray
School of Medicine to begin a new cohort
program with the Cardiovascular Health
Study, a medical research program, to
examine the well-being of older African
Americans.
Designed to provide information
about the health of the elderly, the CHS
program, sponsored by the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute of the National
Institutes of Health, started in 1989 and
has had a successful rate of participation
among Fors>th County residents. In
November 1992 the program began ran
domly selecting over 200 African
Americans from a listing compiled, by the
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, according
to Beverly R. Tucker, assistant project
manager of the study. First Research, an
African- American consulting firm, assisted
in the recruitment of local residents, pri
marily from Winston-Salem.
"We are most grateful to the African
American community for their support,"
said Tucker, citing the support of black
organizations, churches and individuals.
"I think it [the study) will have a sig
nificant impact on future generations of
African Americans. It will help us to live
longer and healthier," said Gratia Wright,
of First Research of Greensboro.
Participants in the program were
interviewed in their homes by a CHS staff
member who inquired about their general
health and lifestyles. Following the inter
view, the participants were provided free
transportation to the CHS clinic located in
Piedmont Plaza One on West 1st Street for
free medical tests. The tests included a
physical exam, blood pressure testing, cho
lesterol and blood sugar testing, an EKG
and an Ultra Sound test Every six months
the clinic will do a follow-up inquiry as to
the participants' diet, health and lifestyles.
Allette Crump, 66, and her husband
Roy, 68, became participants in the CHS
study out of concern for their health. After
receiving a letter describing the program in
October 1992, they were interviewed by a
study representative from North Carolina
Baptist Hospital. An approximately four
hour comprehensive examination at the
CHS clinic followed on December 16. The
couple received periodic examinations
throughout the year and are kept in contact
with by phone. At the end of each month
the Crumps are mailed a card on which they
can record any injuries, particularly falls.
"My husband and I have a good life.
We are more conscious about our health,"
said Crump, who noted that many of her
friends have succumbed to heart disease
and other ailments.
"They don't have enough information
about blacks and heart disease," she said.
The Cardiovascular Health Study will
continue until 1999 and the results will be
sent to the physicians of the participants.
The study is strictly observational and uses
no experimental tests or drugs. Bowman
Gray is one of four nationwide institutions
conducting the study.
Volunteers in CHS Study Excited
About Participation
The Cardiovascular Health Study
(CHS) always has been a one-of-a-kind
investigation of a major health problem.
But now, thanks to the enrollment of more
than 230 African Americans in Forsyth
County, CHS can break some new ground.
Information about the overall health
status of blacks has been skimpy at best.
With a substantial group of African
Americans enrolled in CHS, researchers
can begin to compile a profile of risk fac
tors related to heart disease and stroke in a
segment of the population that has been
particularly susccpliblc.
"We're naturally interested in our
health," says Allctte Crump, 66. "We've
seen our friends die from heart attacks and
strokes, so we are increasingly health
minded and interested in learning what type
of life-style is necessary to prolong our
lives."
Crump, a native of Winston-Salem,
and her husband, Roy, 68, moved here a
few years ago after they both retired from
jobs in Detroit ? she as a teacher and he
with the City of Detroit.
CHS is the first health research project
the Crumps have ever participated in.
"I was thrilled when they called me,"
she says. MMy husband was a little jealous
until he found out he could participate,
too!"
CHS is an observational study, which
means the participants receive free health
examinations and are asked to provide
detailed information about their lifestyles ?
eating habits, exercise routines, other "envi
ronmental" factors that might contribute to
injury or illness ? to CHS interviewers at
regular intervals.
"I'm excited about -CHS and getting
the exams at no cost," says James Motz, 73,
a retired postal worker. "I'm very interested
in my health and want to know if anything
is wrong."
"The people we contacted in the
African-American community were very
receptive and gracious and generally gave
us all the information we needed to qualify
them as participants in the study," says
Beverly Tucker, assistant project manager.
"We actually caughi a few people
whose health' signs were in something of a
state of 'alert,'" said Tucker. "By getting
them into the clinic right away, we saved
some possible hospitalizations, I'm sure."
The Cardiovascular Health
Study wishes to thank you, the
older African American adult in the Winston-Salem com
munity for your participation and support in helping
us gather information concerning your health, diet, and
lifestyle. This information will help us identify factors re
? lated to heart disease and stroke in all Americans. Without
your contrioution this portion of the study would not have
been a success. We are looking forward to seeing all of
you next year for your annual follow-up clinic visit.
The CHS Staff
The Bowman Gray School of Medicine
Thanks!
INFECTIONS OF THE SKIN
If you are 13 YEARS OR OLDER and have one of the following, you
may qualify for treatment in this clinical study of a new antibiotic:
? OPEN DRAINING SORES
? A WOUND (SURGICAL OR ACCIDENTAL) THAT HAS NOT
HEALED
? BOILS
? RED, SWOLLEN INGROWN TOENAILS
? ANY AREA WITH PUS PRODUCTION
Those who qualify will receive a PHYSICAL EXAM, LAB WORK AND
MEDICATION AT NO CHARGE, as well as a patient INCENTIVE OF UP
TO $75 for successful completion of this study. Females must not be
pregnant or nursing.
DIABETES STUDY
We need non-insulin dependent diabetes. You will receive free treat
ment of oral diabetic medication. UP TO $320 PAID to those who quali
fy. FREE MEDICATION, EXAMS, AND LABORATORY TESTING to
those who qualify.
Plsdmont R?M?reh Associates
If you are interested In
participating, please call
768- 8062