71 - Health Promotion Education with Norfolk's Recovery Court

Author Information

Caitlyn GeismanFollow

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

Background: Most Norfolk Recovery Court (NRC) participants were of African American descent who identified high levels of stress. Allostatic load, the cumulation of physiologic adaptations triggered by stress, causes a 22% increase in overall mortality and 31% increase in CVD mortality. Chronic AL can lead to HTN, AMI, stroke, diabetes, obesity, & increased risk of infection (Parker at al., 2022). Co-morbidity of uncontrolled hypertension and substance use African Americans have significantly lower survival time than those without a substance use disorder (Varadarajan et al, 2022). Specific Aim: Improve health-related knowledge through educational sessions. Improve the use and understanding of healthier coping mechanisms. Methods: After surveying participants, we designed educational tools to meet their stated needs. Results: 61% of participants identified exercise and nutrition teachings as the most beneficial. There was no overall change in blood pressures over 6 weeks; however, there was increased awareness of lifestyle choices & effects on health. Participants identified that community-based interventions such as teen activities and youth programs on preventing drug use among younger populations. Health Literacy was a barrier for some participants. Discussion: Nurses can play a crucial role in addiction recovery by promoting sustainable lifestyle changes and supporting long-term wellness; aligning with health promotion and primary prevention. Nursing students reflected that we needed more time to build rapport before educational sessions. Conclusion: Allocating time to build rapport and a therapeutic relationship with participants prior to intervention implementation may improve the overall outcomes. Creating education-based interventions can increase health knowledge and behaviors.

Presenting Author Name/s

Caitlyn Geisman

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Beth Tremblay, PhD

Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department

Ellmer School of Nursing

College Affiliation

Ellmer School of Nursing

Presentation Type

Poster

Disciplines

Public Health and Community Nursing

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71 - Health Promotion Education with Norfolk's Recovery Court

Background: Most Norfolk Recovery Court (NRC) participants were of African American descent who identified high levels of stress. Allostatic load, the cumulation of physiologic adaptations triggered by stress, causes a 22% increase in overall mortality and 31% increase in CVD mortality. Chronic AL can lead to HTN, AMI, stroke, diabetes, obesity, & increased risk of infection (Parker at al., 2022). Co-morbidity of uncontrolled hypertension and substance use African Americans have significantly lower survival time than those without a substance use disorder (Varadarajan et al, 2022). Specific Aim: Improve health-related knowledge through educational sessions. Improve the use and understanding of healthier coping mechanisms. Methods: After surveying participants, we designed educational tools to meet their stated needs. Results: 61% of participants identified exercise and nutrition teachings as the most beneficial. There was no overall change in blood pressures over 6 weeks; however, there was increased awareness of lifestyle choices & effects on health. Participants identified that community-based interventions such as teen activities and youth programs on preventing drug use among younger populations. Health Literacy was a barrier for some participants. Discussion: Nurses can play a crucial role in addiction recovery by promoting sustainable lifestyle changes and supporting long-term wellness; aligning with health promotion and primary prevention. Nursing students reflected that we needed more time to build rapport before educational sessions. Conclusion: Allocating time to build rapport and a therapeutic relationship with participants prior to intervention implementation may improve the overall outcomes. Creating education-based interventions can increase health knowledge and behaviors.