U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip left side navigation and go to content
CHW Health Disparities Initiative

Health Education Materials

The cornerstone of the Community Health Worker Health Disparities Initiative is a set of health education tools. These tools — community health worker (CHW) manuals, picture card flip charts, recipe books, risk factor booklets, and more — are tailored for several different ethnic communities:

About the Materials

  • Comprehensive and evidence-based. The materials are based on data from the NHLBI’s decades of research on effective approaches to preventing and controlling heart disease risk factors and to promoting heart healthy behaviors.
  • Great for adult education. The format of these materials is based on research about how adults learn. The materials have activities that get people to work with and motivate each other. All the information and activities build on each person’s life experiences, creating an open environment where everyone can teach, share, and learn.
  • Culturally appropriate. The materials showcase each ethnic community’s ways of engaging in physical activity, heart healthy eating, food preparation, and overall wellness.
  • Flexible. CHWs may use one or more sets of the materials or may combine them in a way that best addresses their community’s unique needs.

Who Can Use the Materials?

The materials can be used by trained CHWs and other health professionals (such as dietitians, nurses, or health educators).

Community Health Worker Manuals

The NHLBI has designed heart health manuals for minority and underserved communities in need. Each 12-session manual, including those created for the African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Filipino American, and Hispanic/Latino communities, contains culturally appropriate and user-friendly information on cardiovascular disease risk factors (high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, overweight/obesity, diabetes, and physical inactivity) and lifestyle choices for healthy living.

The companion flip chart of picture cards includes colorful illustrations and talking points to reinforce key heart health messages. Handouts included in each session can be used to teach group education classes or for individual patient education.

These teaching tools can be used to train CHWs, conduct community education classes, or work with a health care team to educate and help community members reduce their risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Sample Table of Contents

  • Session 1: Knowledge is Power: Know Your Risk for Heart Disease
  • Session 2: Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs
  • Session 3: Get Energized! Say YES to Physical Activity
  • Session 4: Help Your Heart: Control Your High Blood Pressure
  • Session 5: Be Heart Smart! Keep Your Cholesterol in Check
  • Session 6: Embrace Your Health! Aim for a Healthy Weight
  • Session 7: Protect Your Heart: Take Good Care of Your Diabetes for Life
  • Session 8: Make Heart Healthy Eating an Everyday Family Reunion
  • Session 9: Eat in a Heart Healthy Way, Even When Time or Money Is Tight
  • Session 10: Enjoy Living Smoke-Free
  • Session 11: Review and Graduation
  • Session 12: Use Evaluation to Track Your Progress (only for CHWs)

How to Order or Download the Educational Materials

Materials are available in print, PDF, or HTML format. Click on the links below to see available material for different communities.

Back to top

Last Updated: June 2014