Evidence-Based Program: HealthMatters™ Program

HealthMatters Program is an evidence-based health promotion program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Through our community-academic partnerships, we aim to provide high quality evidence-based and evidence-informed health promotion programs and training for people with IDD and their supports in health-friendly communities.

Target audience: Target audience includes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their support persons who are employed in day/residential/employment community-based programs serving people with IDD (direct support professionals, Case managers, Licensed social workers, Health care professionals, Community health workers, Certified fitness instructors, Lay leaders, Students).
Health outcomes:
- Outcomes (Efficacy University-Based Clinical Trial) – Adults with IDD in Intervention group – Participation in HealthMatters^TM Program led to improved attitudes and psychosocial outcome among people with IDD (Heller, et al., 2004; Rimmer, et al., 2004).
  - Increased exercise attitudes
  - Increased exercise self-efficacy
  - Increased exercise outcome expectations
  - Increased life satisfaction
  - Increased cardiovascular fitness, strength and endurance
  - Decreased cognitive–emotional barriers
- Outcomes (Effectiveness Community Based Train the Trainer Project) – Certified staff in CBOs can effectively implement a HealthMatters^TM Program for people with IDD with improved outcomes (Marks, Sisirak, & Chang, 2013).
  - Increased perceived health behaviors
  - Increased exercise self-efficacy
  - Increased nutrition/activity knowledge
  - Increased cholesterol & glucose
  - Increased fitness (flexibility)
  - Increased exercise & nutrition socio-environmental supports
- Outcomes (Effectiveness Community Based Train the Trainer Project) – Certified staff in CBOs can also benefit from training and implementing a HealthMatters^TM Program for people with IDD with improved outcomes (Marks, Sisirak, Chang, & Murphy, 2019).
  - Increased social/environmental supports for nutrition
  - Increased exercise outcome expectations
  - Increased nutrition outcome expectations
  - Increased fruit and vegetable intake
  - Increased knowledge of fruit and vegetable intake recommendations
  - Increased stages of change for eating fruits and vegetables
Delivered by: 1-3 Certified Instructor, at least one Certified instructor per 1-4 participants with IDD
Program type: Group. Some case management organizations have implemented programs to individuals.
Format: In-person at home, in-person in community recreational centers, worksites, and day programs. Due to COVID-19 HealthMatters^TM Program is now being offered with a hybrid approach using a virtual platform.
Length:
- HealthMatters Program: Certified Instructor Workshop Webinar (6 hours, 90 minutes over 3 days, 90 minutes offline work)
- Health Matters: The Exercise and Nutrition Health Education Curriculum for People with Developmental Disabilities (Curriculum) 12-Week HealthMatters Program– three 1.5-2h sessions per week (4-6 hours per week) for 12 weeks, total 36 lessons
Training: Online (In-person training available upon request)
Professional required: No
Accessibility adaptations available: Yes, incorporating principles of Universal Design and Universal Design Instruction.
Cultural adaptations available: Yes
Available in languages other than English: Not at this time
Topic(s):
- Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia
- Behavioral Health – advocacy
- Chronic Disease
- Falls Prevention
- Medication Management
- Nutrition
- Pain Management
- Physical Activity