Despite declines in heart disease deaths, African Americans still lag behind

American Heart Association
Thursday, 10 January 2002

The American Heart Association works to educate African Americans about heart disease and stroke through innovative and educational initiatives

Despite recent declines in coronary heart disease (CHD) death rates, a disparity between African Americans and whites has increased, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions.

The findings show that CHD death rates declined by 33.3 percent in African-American men between 1979 and 1998, compared to 46.1 percent in white men. At the same time, CHD death rates decreased by 26.6 percent in African-American women compared to 40.1 percent in white women.

The disparity between African Americans and whites is partly due to heredity and lifestyle habits. African Americans have a high incidence of certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure, putting them at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. The findings of the study also point towards a need for prevention programs tailored to the education, ethnicity and other characteristics of populations at increased risk for CHD.

The American Heart Association is working hard to fill this gap through a national program called Search Your Heart -- a free, heart-health and stroke-prevention initiative designed to reach African Americans in a church setting. Every Search Your Heart church is led by a designated program coordinator who facilitates all aspects of the program – planning and promoting events, recruiting church volunteers, contacting coordinating agencies, and working with a local American Heart Association representative to present the program to the church members.

Started in 1994, the program currently has over 1,250 participating churches across the country. It contains four activity kits, which can be used by the church program coordinators:

- Activities for Life encourages making physical activity a part of life;

- Bread of Life provides nutritional information, tips, skills and motivation for heart-healthy living;

- Check For Life shows how to conduct blood pressure screenings and increase awareness; and

- Stomp Out Stroke offers guidance for administering stroke screenings and improving awareness.

"Traditionally, the church has been the hub of African-American communities. Today, churches have become channels for health information, education and even screenings," says David Faxon, M.D., president of the American Heart Association. "In reaching out to people where they are, the American Heart Association found that the church is an ideal setting for a heart-health education program. After all, it's where values and attitudes are shaped."

In addition, the American Heart Association, in cooperation with Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc, and Eli Lilly and Company, has developed The Heart of DiabetesSM: Understanding Insulin Resistance. This free program is designed to help type 2 diabetes patients reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease through physical activity, nutrition and cholesterol management.

Program participants will receive a program guide, weekly journal to track their Hb1Ac, cholesterol and glucose levels, weight and nutrition tips as well as a subscription to Diabetes Positive, a magazine designed to help promote positive living with diabetes. Throughout the year-long program, participants will receive continued communications from the American Heart Association regarding cholesterol management, physical activity and nutrition. Upon completion of the program, each participate will receive a free copy of the American Heart Association's Fitting in Fitness book.

The American Heart Association has also declared a call-to-action for all African Americans --"Take Your Heart and Health Into Your Own Hands." This educational campaign includes posters, radio public service announcements, and special videos about stroke featuring stroke survivor and actor Robert Guillaume. In delivering this message, the American Heart Association urges African Americans to learn the risk factors for heart disease and stroke and take action to eliminate all modifiable risk factors from their lives.

Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death for African-American men and women -- claiming the lives of over 100,000 annually. In 1999, cardiovascular disease accounted for 33.8 percent of deaths among African-American men and 40.8 percent among African-American women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The American Heart Association spent about $382 million during fiscal year 2000 - 2001 on research support, public and professional education, and community programs. Nationwide, the organization has grown to include more than 22.5 million volunteers and supporters who carry out its mission in communities across the country. The association is the largest nonprofit voluntary health organization fighting heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, which annually kill about 950,000 Americans. For more information about heart disease and stroke, call 1-800-AHA-USA1

For more information, or to contact American Heart Association, see their website at: www.americanheart.org