Cooperative Extension Program

Project HOPE (Hypertension Outreach Prevention Education) is a faith-based community partnership. It is an educational prevention and intervention project designed to reduce the risk of hypertension through diet, fitness and behavior modification. The project targets faith-based communities in Harris, Fort Bend and Travis counties.

The goals of Project HOPE are
(1) reduce the incidence of hypertension through lifestyle changes and behavior modification; and (2) enhance the management of hypertension through a variety of intervention strategies.

The objectives of the project are to define high blood pressure and hypertension; identify the risks for and symptoms of hypertension; practice healthy lifestyle habits for governing and controlling hypertension through nutrition and exercise; understand clearly and follow physician's advice; and recruit and train volunteers to serve as peer educators in local churches.

Project HOPE is funded through a grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Honorary advisory committee members include: Joye Carter, M.D., Chief Medical Examiner-Harris County; The Honorable Elliott Naishtat, State Representative, District 49; The Honorable Grady Prestage, County Commissioner - Fort Bend County, Precinct 2; Joseph Swafford, M.D. President-Elect - American Heart Association - Houston Division; The Honorable Sylvester Turner, State of Texas Representative, District 139, and Ralph D. West, Pastor, The Church Without Walls.

For more information, contact either Carolyn M. Perkins, Health Coordinator at 713-797-7033 or Elaine Freeney, Families First-Nutrition Education Wellness System at 713-440-4900.