The Purdue Stepped Approach Model: Sequencing Community and Clinical Interventions to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Abstract

The Purdue Stepped Approach Model (PM) is applied to the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors. The PM is schema for service delivery that increases the intensity of interventions presented in a series. Community interventions are sequentially introduced followed by clinical programs. Benefits of community interventions and clinical programs are discussed which include target of a large number of people, optimal utilization of technology and human capital, responsiveness to individual differences, and increased likelihood of permanence of behavior change. Empirical support from community and clinical research are provided. The five steps of the model are described and an heuristic example is illustrated. The PM may expand the role of community health educators and may lead to the evolution of more inclusive means of delivering community and clinical health programs.