For this lesson's graded assignment, you will apply what you have learned about the risk factors of cardiovascular disease as well as methods of preventing it by creating a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to share with your classmates. A PSA is a free message in the public interest with the objective of raising awareness of, and changing public attitudes and behavior towards, a social issue such as cardiovascular disease. (If you'd like to view a sample PSA, watch "Talk, They Listen" from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or view the PSA flyer "Parking Safety Matters" from the International Parking Institute).

To get started, you'll need to consider the following (you will not be required to turn in your answers to or thoughts about these planning activities/questions. They are here to help you prepare for the assignment):

• Decide who your audience is - Who is the announcement meant to inform or persuade? High school students, adults, young children, the general public?
• Decide on the purpose of your PSA - Is the purpose to raise awareness about the risks for CVD, promote certain prevention behaviors, or discourage risky behaviors?
• Think of a catchy slogan or title for your PSA - How will you grab the attention of your target audience?
• Decide how you will get your message across - Will you present a powerful statistic using words, images or a diagram, illustrate an example of behavior through a story or pictures, call your viewer to action with words like: "CALL", "VISIT" "GO TO..." etc., use emotional and compelling images and words, and/or ask a question that will relate to your audience fears, needs or issues?
• Decide on the format of your PSA - Will you create 30 - 60 second video (.mp4) or audio (.mp3) recording, or a 1 or2 page flyer (document using a word processing software/application).
• Decide on the specific information you want to share - Your PSA must include cardiovascular disease risk and prevention methods discussed in this lesson.