Evaluation of a Socio-ecological Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Intervention for Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Hasidic Women

The purpose of this research study is to design, implement, and evaluate a community level, socio-ecological based CVD prevention intervention using a participatory approach for women in a homogeneous ultra-Orthodox Jewish Hasidic community in Israel. A quasi-experimental, pre-post study design will be utilized, where all community participants will be exposed to intervention components. Pre and post samples will be selected through randomized cluster sampling of pre-existing community groups (n=239 ). Intervention components will be designed through qualitative and quantitative data collection (focus groups, interviews, and questionnaires) from the target population and implementation will be conducted in partnership with community organizations. Intervention components will include a health newsletter, health workshops, community evening/health project registration, lay leader training, neighborhood exercise groups, community walking programs with pedometers, healthy cooking contest, and school health promotion activities. It is hypothesized that ultra-Orthodox Jewish Hasidic women exposed to this community intervention will have improved healthy eating behaviors, reduced unhealthy eating behaviors, increased engagement in physical activity and sleep, and reduced risk for obesity (weight, BMI).