Am J Public Health. 2026 Jul;116(S3):S152-S161. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2026.308537.
ABSTRACT
Objectives. To summarize and present a visual representation of the complex implementation context of cardiovascular disease prevention interventions and identify opportunities to increase an emphasis on equity. Methods. From May to October 2021, we conducted 24 interviews with people knowledgeable about cardiovascular disease prevention activities in the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area, guided by the framing of a resource generator network analysis and the levels (clinical, behavioral support, health promotion/access, and regulatory/taxes) of the Prevention Impacts Simulation Model. We selected 4 program examples to demonstrate how subsets of the network carry out cardiovascular disease prevention activities. Results. There were 82 active and 7 inactive programs. We categorized organizations into 10 types. We identified the following health equity topic areas: tracking metrics, making referrals to basic needs services, offering non-health care services, addressing hunger and food insecurity, focusing programs on low-income and minoritized groups, and regulating industry. Conclusions. We recommend increasing the use of systems science methods in public health to reorient efforts toward prevention and equitable allocation of resources and to increase links across levels. (Am J Public Health. 2026;116(S3): S152-S161. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308537).
PMID:42341269 | DOI:10.2105/AJPH.2026.308537