Center for Continuing Studies - Innovative Leadership for Lifelong Learning

Coronary Health Improvement Project

Healthy by Choice Not by Chance

More about CHIP® (Coronary Health Improvement Project)

CHIP is a not-for profit community wellness program with more than 40,000 graduates worldwide.  CHIP is designed to prevent and reverse the risk factors for heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.  CHIP also has sessions on osteoporosis, cancer, and psychological health.

Based on scientific data and research, and starting the very first week, most participants experience lowered cholesterol levels, lowered high blood pressures, lowered blood sugars, and decreased weight.  The enthusiasm of the participants is evident as they also experience increased levels of energy, better sleep at night and improved digestion.

All this is accomplished in just eight weeks with the adoption of better health habits and simple lifestyle changes.  CHIP offers useful information which often leads to better health and a more hopeful direction in life.

Risk factor levels are carefully assessed before and after the educational program.

 

CHIP results have been published in the:

American Journal of Cardiology (1998),

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2002, 2005),

 Preventive Medicine (2004), and

JADA (2005).

These scientific articles are available at www.CHIPhealth.com

 

The DVD-CHIP program consists of the following:

• Free Information Sessions: Free Information Sessions are offered before the program begins.  This is the time for interested persons to ask questions, register for the program, pay their fee and schedule their HealthScreen appointment.
• HealthScreen #1:  A Coronary Risk Assessment precedes the program.  This early morning appointment includes:

a. Fasting lipid profile and blood sugar levels.
b. Lifestyle Questionnaire including medical history and medications.
c. Assessment of height, weight, frame size, blood pressure and pulse.
d. A heart-healthy breakfast.

• DVD-CHIP Lecture Series:  16 DVD sessions with Hans Diehl, DrHSc, MPH, which are delivered by trained CHIP Directors.  Classes meet for two hours, two times a week, for eight weeks.  Also included are workbook activities and exercise motivation.  Local presentations and samples of heart healthy foods are sometimes included.
• Shopping Tours (Optional):  Guided shopping tours in a local supermarket provide an indispensable learning experience.
• HealthScreen #2:  Similar to HealthScreen #1. Conducted at the end of the educational program to measure changes in coronary risk factors and provide clinical feedback.
• Graduation:  A celebration of progress and a new beginning, each participant receives their HeartScreen results, a certificate, a CHIP pin, knife and luggage tag.
• Alumni:  Participation in alumni events is encouraged for ongoing support and instruction.

CHIP Home

If you have more questions about the program, contact:

Kay Sebastian, CHIP Program Director

via phone at 320.308.5535 or email at kcsebastian@stcloudstate.edu