Appendix 2.1 Sample Communications Plan

In order for community members to be well versed about CHAP, the CHAP Fact Sheet has been developed as a backgrounder in Appendix 2.2. The CHAP Fact Sheet contains all of the pertinent details about the issue of high blood pressure, the goals of CHAP and its description. The CHAP Fact Sheet complements all of the materials in the Implementation Guide Appendices and is appropriate for distribution with each of these.

Goals of CHAP

• To implement and customize a community-wide program for blood pressure monitoring and cardiovascular disease and stroke risk assessment
• To increase awareness of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke, including high blood pressure
• To identify individuals with elevated blood pressure readings, and/or significant cardiovascular disease and/or stroke risk, and to promote follow-up
• To augment in-office health records to assist physicians with monitoring and management of blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease and stroke risk factors
• To inform the public about blood pressure, the importance of having it measured regularly, and the relationship between high blood pressure and heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases

Communication Goals

• To build community-wide awareness of, and interest in, CHAP
• To foster buy-in from local public health agencies. For example, the Local Public Health Unit or Local Health Integration Network (LHIN)
• To recruit all local family physicians and all local community pharmacists
• To recruit volunteer peer health educators
• To promote attendance of a broad group of community participants at CHAP sessions
• To encourage repeat attendance at CHAP sessions
• To increase awareness of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke, including high blood pressure
• To inform the public about blood pressure, the importance of having it measured regularly, and the relationship between high blood pressure and heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases

Target Audience

• CHAP Participants
• All local family physicians
• All local community pharmacists
• Community Health Provider Organizations. For example, Community Health Centres and Family Health Teams
• Potential older adult volunteers
• Older adult community residents
• Seniors’ Groups and Centres
• Local Public Health Agencies. For example, Local Public Health Unit and LHIN
• Local Health and Social Service Organizations
• Local Disease Society, for example, the local chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario

Key Messages

> General: What is important in framing the issue?

• High blood pressure is associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke and a range of serious health problems
• Blood pressure can be challenging to monitor
• Physicians need multiple, accurate readings over time to inform diagnosis and management of high blood pressure
• Patients may not visit their physician regularly, or may be anxious when having their blood pressure measured
• Physicians may have limited time for monitoring blood pressure at every visit or in a standardized way
• Other risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke are also important and can have a compounded effect with high blood pressure

> Program specific: What is important and unique about CHAP?

• CHAP is community-based, community-wide and free of charge to all older adult community residents
• CHAP promotes self-management of high blood pressure
• Participants are invited to measure their blood pressure in pharmacies and other familiar community settings and assess their risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Peer health educators are volunteers
• CHAP is a collaborative approach to health promotion, integrating family physicians, pharmacists and community organizations
• Feedback provides patient-specific information that physicians can use
• Additional blood pressure readings contribute to diagnosis and management
• Participants receive a copy of their results and healthy living resources
• Participants identified as high-risk are followed-up
• CHAP is a sustainable community-based program

Channels for Communication

• In-person meetings with physicians, pharmacists, local public health agencies and local health and social service organizations
• Networking with community groups, leaders and volunteer organizations
• Strategic distribution of print materials: posters, flyers
• Press kits and media contact for newspaper articles and newsletters
• Local radio advertising, for example Public Service Announcements (PSA”s)
• Summary of CHAP activities provided to all participants, including family physicians, pharmacists, volunteer peer health educators, Community Health Provider Organizations and Health and Social Service Organizations

Specific Venues

> For Volunteer Recruitment:

• Seniors’ Centres, Seniors’ Clubs, Seniors’ Groups
• Volunteer Centres, Directories, or Referral Services
• Hospitals* (Volunteer Groups)
• Churches / faith groups (Community Church Group)
• Non-profit organizations and Service Clubs. For example, Alzheimer’s Society, Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Kidney Foundation, Kinette and Kinsmen Club, Knights of Columbus, Lions and Lioness Clubs, Rotary clubs, Royal Canadian Legion, United Way, VON, and the YMCA, YWCA.
• Volunteer Recruitment Fairs (that cater to an older audience)
• Associations for retirees

> For General Networking and Awareness Raising of CHAP:

• Seniors’ Centres, Seniors’ Clubs, Seniors’ Groups
• Community Centres, Recreation Centres
• Retirement Homes / Residences
• Seniors’ Apartment Buildings
• Non-profit Organizations and Service clubs
• Hospitals
• City Hall/Town Hall
• Library
• Businesses / Shopping Centres
• Physicians and Other Health Care Offices
• Personnel Directors
• Speakers' Bureaus
• Chambers of Commerce

> For Posting Materials:

• Community Newspapers – articles/ads
• Web Site(s)
• Community Calendars
• Community Group Newsletters
• Church Bulletin
• Physicians’ Offices (family physicians already recruited)
• Pharmacies (already recruited)
• City Hall/Town Hall
• Library
• Post Office
• Businesses / Shopping centres

Useful Resources

• CHAP Fact Sheet (Appendix 2.2)
• Print materials – posters/flyers
• Media releases - toward series of articles in local papers
• Newspaper ads – for informing the community / recruiting volunteers
• Newspaper ads – for advertising sessions
• Web site advertising
• Radio PSA’s
• A Frames or Sandwich Board Signs
• Updates / summaries for bulletins, newsletters
• Media meetings
• Collaborative of Other Organizations’ meetings
• Summary of CHAP activities provided to all participants: family physicians, pharmacists, volunteer peer health educators, Community Health Organizations and Health and Social Service Organizations

Print Materials

Three types of posters/flyers:

1. Introduction to CHAP poster/flyer: A poster with black and white version as a flyer; to introduce CHAP and target potential volunteers – emphasizing short commitment; provides contact number for Local CHAP Coordinator; to be posted in broadest range of venues. Sample Volunteer Recruitment Poster (Appendix 2.3).
2. CHAP Program Description: A poster; to announce/describe CHAP, targeting a broad audience; still mentions need for volunteers and provides contact number for Local CHAP Coordinator; message to watch for posted schedules or check local paper for session details; to be posted in high-traffic areas including family physician offices and pharmacies.
3. Schedule and Contact Information: A poster with changeable session schedule section. It provides contact number for Local CHAP Coordinator for all types of inquiries; posted in a limited number of key areas tracked for regular change-over of session schedule.

Media Releases

Three generic media releases are available in the appendices that can be customized to your community. They are:

1. Appendix 2.3 Volunteer Recruitment Sample Media Release: To introduce CHAP to the community. This media release is designed to generate interest in CHAP and recruit volunteers.
2. Appendix 2.4 Participant Recruitment Sample Media Release: To provide specific program information about CHAP and encourage attendance to CHAP sessions.
3. Appendix 2.5 CHAP Update Sample Media Release: To provide an update on CHAP and to renew buy-in into CHAP with family physicians, local community pharmacist and the Health Promotion Community.

Timeline

This is a sample timeline for the implementation of CHAP in your community.

Activity	Timing
• CHAP Fact Sheet (Appendix 2.2)	• Before session start
• Recommend posting 3 types of flyers/posters	• 1 to 2 weeks before the first CHAP session is held
• Recommend sending out 3 media releases	• 1 week prior to start of CHAP sessions
• CHAP session advertisements including newspaper print ads, radio public service announcements	• 1 week before CHAP session start and ongoing
• Web site postings including CHAP program information, volunteer recruitment and CHAP session schedule	• 1 to 2 weeks prior to CHAP sessions start and ongoing
• Updates / summaries for bulletins, newsletters	• Ongoing
• Media contact meetings	• Ongoing
• Collaborator meetings	• Ongoing
• Targeted feedback to CHAP participants including family physicians, local community pharmacists, and volunteer peer health educators	• Ongoing

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Appendix 2.2 CHAP Fact Sheet

What is CHAP?

• CHAP or the Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program has been in existence since 2000.
• CHAP is a community-based program that brings together local family physicians, pharmacies, other health professionals, public health representatives, volunteers, and health and social service organizations to work together to promote and actively participate in the prevention and management of heart disease and stroke.
• CHAP is made available, free of charge, to all older adults.
• CHAP invites older adults to measure their blood pressure in pharmacies and other familiar community settings, using an automated blood pressure measuring device with help from a trained volunteer.
• CHAP participants can take home a copy of their results and give their permission to have this health information shared with their family physician and pharmacist. This allows physicians and pharmacists to follow-up with their patients if required.
• CHAP offers opportunities for multiple blood pressure readings and the promotion of healthy eating, physical activity and smoking cessation, all modifiable risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Why CHAP?

• Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Canada. High blood pressure affects about 1 in 5 of Canadian adults and is a modifiable risk factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.
• Nine out of 10 Canadians will develop high blood pressure during their lifetime.
• High blood pressure has no warning signs or symptoms – which is why it is often called a ‘silent killer’.
• Despite efforts to overcome barriers to high blood pressure detection and control, high blood pressure remains one of the most significant health problems facing Canadians.
• Blood pressure can be challenging to assess accurately because of its natural variability and measurement challenges. Some people have higher blood pressure readings in their doctor's office because they feel anxious in this setting. Others have normal blood pressure when measured in the doctor’s office, but have high blood pressure in other situations.

Please visit www.chapprogram.ca for more information

CHAP is an initiative of the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University; the Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute, a University of Ottawa and Bruyère Continuing Care Partnership; the Department of Family Medicine, University of British Columbia; and the Team for Individualizing Pharmacotherapy in Primary Care for Seniors

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Appendix 2.3 Volunteer Recruitment Sample Media Release

CHAP Needs You!

For Immediate Release
Date

Name of local lead organization is introducing CHAP, the Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program to name of community.

What is CHAP?

The Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) is a community-based program that brings together local family physicians, pharmacies, public health representatives, volunteers, and community organizations to work as partners to promote and actively participate in the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke.

CHAP is made available, free of charge, to all older adults in name of community. CHAP offers opportunities for multiple blood pressure readings, as well as health promotion and education on healthy eating, physical activity and smoking cessation to prevent heart disease and stroke. Sessions are run in local pharmacies and other community settings.

What do Volunteers do?

CHAP sessions are run by Volunteer Peer Health Educators who are trained by a community health nurse. The name of local lead organization will provide support and recognition to volunteers. During the sessions, volunteer peer health educators help participants to measure their blood pressure, using an automated blood pressure measuring device and record blood pressure readings and other heart disease and stroke risk information.

How Can You Get Involved?

Volunteering to help with CHAP is a short-term commitment of a few hours a month. No medical background is necessary. A community health nurse will provide all the necessary training. You will learn about blood pressure and heart health, and help to educate others. Plus, you will have the opportunity to learn more about your own heart health and how to prevent heart disease and stroke. The time you give to CHAP will help other people in name of community and is very important.

The Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) is an initiative of the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University; the Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute, a University of Ottawa and Bruyère Continuing Care Partnership; the Department of Family Medicine, University of British Columbia; and the Team for Individualizing Pharmacotherapy in Primary Care for Seniors.

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For more information, call: Name, Local CHAP Coordinator, at XXX-XXXX.

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Appendix 2.4: Participant Recruitment Sample Media Release

Do You Have High Blood Pressure?

For Immediate Release
Date

The Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) is made available free of charge to all older adults. CHAP invites older adults to measure their blood pressure using an automated blood pressure measuring device with the help of a trained volunteer, and complete a checklist of their heart and stroke risk factors. CHAP participants can take home a copy of these results. Their blood pressure readings are shared with their family physician and pharmacist with their permission and this allows physicians and pharmacists to follow-up with their patients if necessary. In addition, older adults can learn about blood pressure, diseases related to high blood pressure, and local resources for healthy eating, physical activity and smoking cessation to lower their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Family physicians will be inviting their older adult patients to attend CHAP sessions, while others will hear about CHAP through media and community advertising. The session schedule for each month is posted in the community and printed in the local newspapers. Residents are encouraged to attend more than one session.

Participant feedback from CHAP sessions has been very positive. Stuart McConkey attended a CHAP session at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Cornwall Square in Cornwall, Ontario said, "Excellent program! Gives you a chance to stay in touch with your blood pressure. More people should be using this program. More seniors should take part - it doesn't take a lot of time. It also takes some pressure off of our doctors."

Nine out of 10 Canadians will develop hypertension during their lifetime. High blood pressure has no warning signs or symptoms – which is why it is often called a ‘silent killer.’

The Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) is an initiative of the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University; the Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute, a University of Ottawa and Bruyère Continuing Care Partnership; the Department of Family Medicine, University of British Columbia; and the Team for Individualizing Pharmacotherapy in Primary Care for Seniors.

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For more information, call: Name, Local CHAP Coordinator, at XXX-XXXX.

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Appendix 2.5: CHAP Update Sample Media Release

What is CHAP Doing For You?

For Immediate Release
Date

Over the last 12 months, over XXXX older adults of name of community have attended CHAP sessions. In total, number of family physicians and number of local pharmacies have participated in CHAP.

The Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) is made available, free of charge to all older adults. CHAP invites older adults to measure their blood pressure using an automated blood pressure measuring device with the help of a trained volunteer, and complete a checklist of their heart and stroke risk factors. CHAP participants can take home a copy of these results. Their blood pressure readings are shared with their family physician and pharmacist with their permission and this allows physicians and pharmacists to follow-up with their patients if necessary. Additional information is also available on blood pressure, disease related to high blood pressure, and local resources for healthy eating, physical activity and smoking cessation to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

High blood pressure has no warning signs or symptoms – which is why it is often called a ‘silent killer.’ It is important to have your blood pressure taken regularly. Regular monitoring can help ensure that high blood pressure is diagnosed before it leads to other health problems. For those adults who have already been diagnosed with high blood pressure, going to CHAP sessions and having additional blood pressure readings done helps their family physician treat them better.

Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death in Canada. Despite efforts to overcome barriers to blood pressure prevention and control, high blood pressure remains one of the most significant health problems facing adult men and women in name of community.

The Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) is an initiative of the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University; the Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute, a University of Ottawa and Bruyère Continuing Care Partnership; the Department of Family Medicine, University of British Columbia; and the Team for Individualizing Pharmacotherapy in Primary Care for Seniors.

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For more information, call: Name, Local CHAP Coordinator, at XXX-XXXX.

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Appendix 2.6: Sample Volunteer Recruitment Poster

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Appendix 2.7: Media Release Form

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Appendix 2.8: CHAP Bilingual Logo

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