The WISEWOMAN program provides low-income, underinsured or uninsured women with chronic disease risk-factor screening, lifestyle programs, and referral services to prevent cardiovascular disease.
For Women ages 30-64 who are income eligible:
- Blood Pressure Check: Measures the force of blood against artery walls to detect high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
- Hemoglobin A1c: A blood test that measures the average level of blood sugar (glucose) over the past two to three months.
- Cholesterol Test: Evaluates levels of fat in the blood, including LDL (“bad”) and HDL (“good”) cholesterol, to assess risk for heart disease.
- Tobacco Cessation Support: Provides tools and guidance to help individuals quit tobacco, reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
- Community Resources: Connects individuals with local programs and services that support healthy lifestyle changes, such as nutrition, physical activity, and stress management.
- Six-Month Follow-Up Re-Screening: Tracks progress and reinforces health goals by reassessing key risk factors and adjusting support as needed.
- Annual Cardiovascular Health Assessment: Offers a comprehensive yearly review of heart health indicators to monitor changes, guide prevention strategies, and promote long-term wellness.
These screenings identify early signs of cardiovascular risk and support long-term health. Blood pressure, A1c, and cholesterol tests help detect hypertension, diabetes, and lipid issues, while tobacco cessation, resource referrals, and follow-ups ensure personalized support and sustained lifestyle changes. Together, they form a comprehensive approach to preventing heart disease and promoting wellness.
Contact the WISEWOMAN program today for more information: 907.966.8525
Healthy Behavior Support Services (HBSS)
The WISEWOMAN program offers Healthy Behavior Support Services (HBSS) helping participants reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). These services can include health coaching, in-person cooking classes, blood pressure monitoring, traditional foods education, diabetes prevention, and supervised exercise sessions.
Health Coaching
Health coaching aims to decrease cardiovascular disease risk. SEARHC health educators utilize motivational interviewing techniques, help participants set SMART goals, support behavior changes, and collaborate with community resources.
- What to expect: Participants work with a Health Educator who will discuss progress and challenges with previously set goals, provided resources, information and additional support, and answer questions to enable patients to make healthier lifestyle choices.
- Eligibility: All WISEWOMAN participants
- Required Sessions: 3 sessions over 6 months
Mobile Kitchen
The Mobile Kitchen holds in-person healthy cooking classes and offers education on traditional foods, healthy eating, budget-friendly options, and local opportunities to access healthy foods.
*This is not offered year-round at every SEARHC location. Ask our team about the Mobile Kitchen to learn more.
- What to expect: SEARHC Health Educators and/or Dieticians will discuss nutritional topics and guide participants through an interactive cooking class.
- Eligibility: Any WISEWOMAN participant interested in learning how to prepare healthy foods.
- Required Sessions: 1 Mobile Kitchen Session + 3 Health Coaching Sessions within 6 months
Self-Managed Blood Pressure (SMBP)
Self-managed blood pressure services focus on long-term improvements in blood pressure (BP) control through health coaching and self-managed blood pressure (SMBP). It includes BP checks, high BP counseling, collaboration with providers, patient education, and providing at-home BP monitor.
- What to expect: This is a more intensive form of health coaching where the Health Educator will check-in more frequently to monitor blood pressure and provide more hands-on health coaching with a focus on cardiovascular risk reduction.
- Eligibility: Any WISEWOMAN participant with disease level or uncontrolled high blood pressure (>140/>90).
- Required Sessions: 5 blood pressure counseling sessions: enrollment + follow-ups at 1 week, 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days.
Traditional Foods
This service teaches women about local and traditional knowledge of nutritious food consumption and increased physical activity through gardening, berry picking, and seafood harvests.
- What to expect: Our Health Educators will discuss various foods native to Southeast Alaska, the nutritional value of different foods, how to harvest/forage, food preparation skills, and share recipe ideas.
- Eligibility: WISEWOMAN participants with readiness to change and interest in traditional foods and gardening.
- Required Sessions: 3 sessions (including health coaching and traditional foods programming).
WISEWOMAN Workouts
Our team will hold in-person or virtual guided workouts designed to reduce the risk of preventable diseases typically associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
- What to expect: Participants will be led through a workout with the guidance and supervision of a health educator. During the workout, they will share feedback on form and technique, provide information on safety and effectively workout planning, discuss exercise recommendations with a focus on each person’s unique goals, and answer exercise questions.
- Eligibility: Any WISEWOMAN participant interested in performing supervised workouts.
- Required Sessions: 3 sessions (including health coaching and workouts).
Enrollment Information
To see if you qualify, call 907.766.6320 or complete the eligibility form and one of our staff will contact you directly!