Pictou County PEP: A 6-Month, Home-Based, Personal Empowerment Program for Adults With a Chronic Medical Condition Living in Pictou County

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

• Age >18;

• Diagnosed with one or more chronic medical conditions, as per the participant'sreport, including but not restricted to the following (complete list in protocolappendix):

• Heart disease / cardiovascular disease / stroke

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes including a diagnosis of pre-diabetes

• Chronic respiratory disease

• Chronic neurologic disease

• Chronic kidney disease

• Chronic liver disease

• Immunodeficiency

• Overweight or Obese (BMI >25)

• Psychiatric or mental health issue - e.g., depression and anxiety

• Substance-related and addictive disorders (e.g alcohol, smoking, etc.);

• Resident of Pictou County, Nova Scotia;

• Existing (or willingness to create) email account and willingness to access emaildaily;

• Ability to follow website links to watch YouTube videos;

• Ability to understand and speak English;

• Ability to participate in low to moderate levels of physical activity and strengthtraining;

• Ability and willingness to fill out an online survey at baseline, and 6, 12 months,and fill in a weekly compliance survey for the six months of the program.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

• Diagnosed with cancer in the last 5 years and/or received treatment for cancer inthe last 5 years;

• Myocardial infarction or stroke within the last year AND without written approvalfrom their Family Physician, Cardiologist, or Study Physician that they are safe toexercise;

• Unable to access the internet daily during the intervention;

• Lack of access to a computer or smartphone to receive emails required for studyintervention.