New Ulm Medical Center - Hearts Beat Back: The Heart of New Ulm Project

What is it?

The Heart of New Ulm Project (HONU) is an award-winning, community-driven initiative to reduce heart attacks in the rural community of New Ulm. As a population-based prevention demonstration project, it applies evidence-informed health improvement practices in the community, health care settings, worksites and the environment. HONU seeks to improve well-being, inspire a supportive culture of health and create an accountable care community. The program is a collaborative partnership with the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation.

Who is it for?

People who live or work in New Ulm

Why do they do it?

At baseline assessment, 36 percent of adults had metabolic syndrome; a high percentage also fell short on several healthful lifestyle indicators.

Impact

Electronic health record data show that the community is making greater improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol than nationwide trends. Fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity levels have increased, as well as aspirin use by those at highest risk for heart attack.

Contact: Cindy Winters
Project Manager
Telephone: 507-217-5548
Email: cindy.winters@allina.com