Heart and Soul

Heart of the Matter, Soul of the People (Heart and Soul) is a long-term partnership in the African-American community to address cardiovascular-related mortality and morbidity.

Involving over 20 churches, the Tanner Community Development Corporation and the Arizona Black Nurses Association, nearly 5,000 people have been engaged in ongoing tobacco prevention activities, youth physical activity, community gardens, barber shop blood pressure checks and more. Using SLHI funds restricted for cardiovascular and lung diseases, the partnership continues to expand and deepen relationships.

In FY2011 Heart and Soul continued to run its vast portfolio of efforts, and took active living to a new level under the Let’s Move banner. After planning on about 150 participants, program staff saw 400 people – many of them new to Heart and Soul – sign up for and participate in a six-week long physical activity challenge that encouraged adults to be active for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, and kids and teens to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. Participants were awarded as they reached monthly goals, with a capstone award ceremony in June and ongoing communications and group support for ongoing habits.