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Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) (formerly the Coronary Health Improvement Project)

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

The Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP), formerly known as the Coronary Health Improvement Project, is a lifestyle intervention to reduce coronary risk factor levels. The program has been implemented in community-based, worksite-based, and medical settings. Community-based programming consists of 18 45-minute video lectures and a 45-minute class discussion. Worksite-based programming consists of 18 25-minute video lectures and 25-minute class discussions. The medical program is customized for specific disease groups. Educational sessions include nutrition workshops, food demonstrations, physical activity, and breakout sessions with physicians, nutritionists, and nurses. Following the initial programming, participants can attend monthly alumni meetings. Participants receive an individualized heart health screening report and referrals to health care providers.

Goal / Mission

The goal of the CHIP lifestyle intervention is to lower blood cholesterol, hypertension, and blood sugar levels and reduce excess weight.

Impact

CHIP has over 55,000 graduates worldwide and sustains adherence to the program guidelines through an active "ClubCHIP" member support organization.

Results / Accomplishments

In a pre- and post-test cohort study at six worksites in Rockford, IL, employees were evaluated at baseline and following 8 weeks of programming. Participants significantly improved healthful lifestyle knowledge (p < 0.01). All sites individually and collectively demonstrated significant reductions in body weight (p = 0.0001), body mass index (p = 0.0001), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p's < 0.02), total cholesterol (p = 0.002), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.002), triglycerides (p = 0.04), and fasting blood glucose (p = 0.03). Men demonstrated greater improvement than women, and individuals who began with a higher baseline risk experienced the greatest reductions.

Over 25 peer-reviewed publications demonstrate significant reductions in chronic disease risk factors among CHIP participants. Visit http://www.chiphealth.com/About-CHIP/Scientific-Publications/ for more details on the most up-to-date results.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
CHIP
Primary Contact
Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP), USA offices
Lifestyle Medicine Institute, LLC
25805 Barton Rd, Bldg. A, Ste. 106
Loma Linda, CA 92354
(909) 796-7676
office@chiphealth.com
http://www.chiphealth.com
Topics
Health / Heart Disease & Stroke
Health / Physical Activity
Health / Wellness & Lifestyle
Organization(s)
CHIP
Source
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Date of implementation
2000
Location
Rockford, IL
For more details
Target Audience
Adults
MiCalhoun