Small Beginnings, Big Impact
In 1973, Dr. Gerald Berenson, a small-town cardiologist in Bogalusa, Louisiana, had a new idea: heart disease might start much earlier than most people think—even in childhood. To find out, he invited Bogalusa residents to take part in what’s now called the Bogalusa Heart Study. Since then, over 15,000 people have joined and visited for health exams that help researchers carry on Dr. Berenson’s legacy. What originally started as a small-town effort has now helped shape health guidelines not just for the U.S., but for the world. Each participant’s contribution has and will continue to help researchers, clinicians, and other communities benefit from heart disease prevention strategies.
Citing the Science: Where BHS is Found in National Policy
- Guidelines for School Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating is published. The guidelines generally recommend school-based programs to promote healthy eating behavior, meaning that the findings from the participation of residents in Bogalusa were able to influence policy for healthier school lunch programs.
- Guidelines for School and Community Programs to Promote Lifelong Physical Activity Among Young People is published, generally recommending school and community-based programs that encourage regular physical activity for children and adolescents. Through the efforts of participants, observations from the study were used to support programs that encourage more physical activity for children and young adults.
- An updated School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity is published. This publication combines the two previous guidelines into one larger set of recommendations for school programs aiming to reduce the same risk factors that Dr. Gerald Berenson studied.
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) publishes High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents: Screening, which uses findings from the study to conclude that more research still needs to be done on early-life cardiovascular risk factors (and therefore more participants are still needed!).
Why Your Participation Matters
The Bogalusa Heart Study is one of the best examples of how a local community’s hard work can lead to big changes nationwide. Each person who takes part in the study helps researchers understand how heart disease is detectable early on, and how to prevent it. The study continues to make a difference in the way we think about heart disease and will keep making waves for each member of the community that participates.
Just a single participant can make a big difference. Visit the site here to learn more about the Bogalusa Heart Study, share the post, or read related stories.