Impact
Med-South is designed to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) and other chronic diseases among adults by:
- Improving healthy eating habits
- Improving physical activity behaviors
- Reducing tobacco use
- Improving medication-taking behaviors
- Linking participants to community support resources
In our most recent studies (2015-2024), 24 health departments and community health centers delivered Med-South to nearly 600 individuals.
Participants achieved the following statistically significant improvements:
Blood Pressure & Weight
There were more participants with controlled blood pressure at the end of the program.
Average decrease in systolic blood pressure was –3.4 mm Hg.
Average decrease in diastolic blood pressure was –1.7 mm Hg.
The average weight loss was –2.1 pounds.
Dietary Intake
Daily fruit and vegetable intake increased by more than ½ a serving.
Sugar-sweetened beverages were lowered by -0.3 servings daily.
Weekly intake of nuts increased by 0.4 units.
Physical Activity
Moderate-intensity physical activity increased by an average of 58 minutes per week.
“I lost 40 pounds! I thought [Med-South] was very good and got my kids involved! We started a Saturday thing where we cook a meal together from the book. I would pick a recipe and then my kids would pick one too, and then we would cook together on Facetime!”
“I’m cooking more and shopping smarter. My grocery bill is lower…now when I get my blood pressure measured it’s perfect!”
– Former Med-South research participants
Programs tend to be more effective when they address multiple levels of factors that influence health behaviors. The Med-South program addresses factors at the following levels:
Individual level
The Med-South program’s counseling sessions and educational materials are designed to change individuals’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, habits, and confidence related to changing their health behaviors.
Interpersonal level
Med-South counselors develop a supportive relationship with their program participants. Counselors are trained to engage with program participants to understand their attitudes, beliefs, health literacy, and motivation to change their health habits.
Community level
Sites that deliver Med-South are encouraged to identify local resources that are supportive of healthy behavior change and share a Community Resource Guide with program participants.
What I liked about the program myself was it allowed participants to pick those [goals] that they could achieve. It wasn’t like we’re pushing anything on anyone…you pick what you think you can do and let’s go at this together.
– Med-South Counselor
How Med-South Works
Med-South integrates theory-derived behavior-change strategies with up-to-date scientific evidence on recommendations for healthy eating and physical activity. Here are the basic strategies used in Med-South:
- Health behavior education strategies are designed to give participants evidence-based recommendations for improving healthy eating and physical activity. The participant manual provides specific recommendations and tips for how to improve health behaviors.
- Goal-setting strategies are designed to help participants set realistic goals to improve their health behaviors. Sample goals for each session are provided in the participant manual and are related to the educational materials covered.
- Linkage to community resources provides participants with additional supports to help them meet the goals they set. Referrals can provide a specific resource (like where to get healthy foods, where to walk in the community), provide additional social support, or help participants overcome barriers to reaching goals they’ve identified (such as lack of transportation).
- Follow-up on goals and community resources provides participants with ongoing support, encouragement, and accountability toward meeting goals set and getting the resources needed to make behavior changes.
- Social support provides participants with support and encouragement related to their health behavior improvements. Support is given by helping participants identify and focus on success and celebrating small improvements in health behaviors.
“You’re really celebratory in the foods that really provide our bodies nutrition, but you’re not making people feel bad about the other things they enjoy. So it’s really something anybody, no matter where they are on their journey, could begin implementing, even if it’s partial or full adoption.”
– Med-South Counselor
Success Stories
Healthy Heart, Living Longer
Meet Sondra Early, a retiree from Greenville, North Carolina, who defied the odds after spending nine days in a coma which led to her being diagnosed with heart disease. Sondra’s transformation began after a series of strokes and diagnosis of heart disease, prompting her to reevaluate her lifestyle and commit to making healthy changes. After God’s Miraculous Healing, she knew she needed to continue the healing process.
Read Sondra’s full story here.
“If you’re serious about living longer, invest the time in programs like Med-South.”
– Sondra Early
Start Small and Build From There
Rhonda Brown from Greenville, NC is from a family of eight children. Her career at East Carolina University spanned over three decades, followed by a dedication to nonprofit work until the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
Read Rhonda’s full story here.
“I’m determined to conquer, and I won’t let anything defeat me.”
– Rhonda Brown
Janice’s Story
Janice Oxendine is a substance abuse counselor and prevention specialist from Robeson County. She has two sons and a commitment to her community’s well-being: Janice knew she needed to take charge of her own health to continue making a difference in the lives of others.
Read Janice’s full story here.
Journey to Health and Happiness
Brandea Watts is a devoted wife, mother, and full-time worker, from Concord, North Carolina. Brandea’s transformative health journey began when she found herself struggling with her health due to sickle cell disease. Battling weight gain and its accompanying health issues, Brandea knew it was time for a change.
Read Brandea’s full story here.
Don’t Give Up!
Meet Patricia Hagans, a math teacher for 25 years. After teaching for three decades, she faced a tough health issue: kidney failure, which meant she had to retire early. But Patricia didn’t let this stop her. With the support of her family – her husband, four children, and three grandchildren – she started her journey to better health.
Read Patricia’s full story here.