NNCC UPDATE received a second (and final) year of fund-
nally, Women Go Red Philly Style encour-
its entirety and increase the scope of ser-
ing from the American Legacy Foundation
ages integrating policies that promote car-
vices it offers to consumers and mental
for the “Stay Quit, Get Fit” program, allow-
diovascular health into all aspects of daily
health professionals. To do this effectively,
ing staff to expand it to two centers: PHMC
life. Staff has held three advisory board
ACT contracted with the National Nursing
Health Connection and Abbottsford- Falls.
meetings with active participation from the
Centers Consortium for executive manage-
Stay Quit, Get Fit combines smoking ces-
City of Philadelphia Department of Health
ment support, including the employment of
sation with exercise and primary care for
and other key stakeholders, including
the Executive Director and the provision
a comprehensive approach focusing on
Temple University. Staff has finalized with
of administrative support services. With
decreasing chronic illness. In its first year
partners the kiosks with the educational
qualified, diverse and active members, a
the program completed five classes (seven
material for women. The program kickoff
widely utilized website (www.academyofct.
weeks each) and reached 67 participants
occurred in January 2009.
org), and sound organizational foundation,
with cessation counseling and exercise.
ACT is well-positioned to promote mental
The first year evaluation showed a statisti-
Women’s Health Week
health awareness and cognitive therapy as
cally significant reduction in the number of
NNCC has again been selected by the U.S.
an evidence-based treatment.
cigarettes that participants smoked at the
Department of Health and Human Ser-
The Academy of Cognitive Therapy
end of the class. Three months later 58%
vices, Region 3 (HHS) to coordinate a se-
(ACT) is a non-profit mental health or-
of participants had reduced their tobacco
ries of public events in collaboration with
ganization founded by leading experts in
use. Seventy-four percent of participants
member centers during National Women’s
the field of cognitive therapy to improve
reduced their body mass index and par-
Health Week (May 10-16, 2009). NNCC
mental health outcomes. Specifically, ACT
ticipants showed a statistically significant
will provide funding and administrative
works to (1) ensure that consumers in ev-
improvement in actual lung capacity. Many
and program support to 13 partner sites,
ery community have access to high-quality,
participants began or were re-engaged in
including member centers in Region 3.
effective cognitive therapists, (2) promote
managing their chronic diseases through
These events are planning to reach over
and integrate cognitive therapy at all levels
the primary care center. In its second year,
2,800 women with outreach, health educa-
of health care and social services, and (3)
the first class already attracted 38 partici-
tion and screening services.
strengthen cognitive therapy research to
pants. NNCC staff also significantly con-
continue to improve outcomes and respond
tributed to a study proposal (pending ap-
Bayer Partnership
to changing mental health issues. ACT has
proval) to the National Institutes of Health
In another exciting new venture, the NNCC
been governed and managed solely by its
to study exercise and other variables in the
is partnering with Bayer to improve the
Board of Directors since 2001. The organi-
Stay Quit, Get Fit program.
diabetes self management of African-
zation had focused primarily on educating
Americans in Philadelphia. A NNCC staff
consumers and professionals through its
Go Red for Women Philly
member will attend 15 events in the Afri-
website and certifying clinicians in cog-
NNCC has been implementing this new
can-American community (primarily con-
nitive therapy. ACT has over 700 highly
program from the Pennsylvania Depart-
nected to AME churches) over the next six
qualified, active members from a variety
ment of Health and partnership with the
months assessing those at risk for diabe-
of backgrounds including medicine, psy-
American Heart Association. The Go Red
tes and demonstrating how to use a glu-
chology, psychiatry and social work and a
for Women program works to improve the
cometer to monitor one’s diabetes before
well-respected and popular website (over 3
heart health of African-American women
and after meals.
million hits in 2007).
places where they work, live, and receive
HEALTH PROMOTION AND PREVENTION
been seeking grant funding to conduct con-
their health care. Additionally, the pro-
HIGHLIGHTS
sumer education, training of mental health
gram trains health care providers work-
In April 2008 the Board of Directors of
professionals, and research to promote the
ing in low-income communities on current
the Academy of Cognitive Therapy hired
cognitive therapy as a cost-effective, cul-
clinical guidelines for cardiovascular risk
its first Executive Director, Michelle
turally appropriate model of care.
assessment and treatment of women. Fi-
O’Connell, in order to fulfill its mission in
35 to 64 years of age by engaging them in
Since partnering with the NNCC, ACT has
www.NNCC.us p 11