| Attitudes and knowledge |
The perception of CVD as serious and the openness to learn how to prevent it can be leveraged to increase interest in prevention programs. CVD-prevention programs need to educate participants about CVD and its behavioral risk factors, as there still is inadequate knowledge of such.
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| Preferred logistics |
There is a need for creative ways to choose healthier ethnic foods and eating behaviors. Increase efforts to diversify the health workforce, and train health professionals on how to gain trust, be friendly, respectful, and mindful of patient’s needs and culture. Latino-oriented materials should be clear, simple, pictorial, bilingual, and culture-minded. Skill-building and interactive activities, as well as components with social interaction and family support, are essential. Allow flexibility in programs to appeal to the variety of schedules and preferences in the community.
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| Motivations and barriers |
Intrinsic and material motivations can be leveraged to improve participation. Allude to the importance of being healthy in order to take care of the family. Barriers will always exist, but can be minimized. Address emotional health as part of CVD-prevention as it seems to be common, a strong barrier, and a potential CVD-risk factor.
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| Overall |
Engage the target community before designing programs to help gain trust, and increase participation and sustainability. Perceptions and preferences seem to be deeply engrained and consistent. While some perceptions and preferences of CVD-prevention programs are common among Latinos, some aspects are ethnic-specific. Programs and interventions should be multi-level (individual, social, and environmental) and include multiple lifestyle behaviors. CVD-prevention programs may be more appealing, attended, and sustainable, when tailored to the preferences and needs of the group served.
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