PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For More Information
Health Editors, Community Editors Suzanne Stantley, 708-596-9330/773-885-0693
Email: info@blackexpocommdev.org
Website: www.blackexpocommdev.org
CARDIOMETABOLIC DISEASE GETS PUT ON
FRONT BURNER AT WOMEN’S HEALTH WORKSHOP
The African-American Health Education Initiative™ Hosts
A Free Southside Health Education and Screening Workshop for Women
CHICAGO – February 16, 2009 –“There are thousands of Chicago residents walking around with a silent killer and they don’t know it” states Suzanne Stantley, Founder and CEO of Black Expo Community Development Association, Inc. the creator of the African-American Health Education Initiative (AAHEI). While the name Cardiometabolic disease is unknown to most, the diseases that make it deadly aren’t. Hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity all individually plague the African-American community and combined they are like a lethal weapon. The presence of two or more of these worsens an individual’s risk for heart attack and stroke. And, there are simply far too many who have no idea just how much at risk they are. We hear a great deal about HIV and cancer, but Heart Attacks are the #1 killer of African-American women TODAY!!
So on Saturday, February 21, 2009, AAHEI will host a FREE Cardiometabolic Disease Workshop “An Education and Screening Program to Assess African-American Women’s Risks for Heart Attack and Stroke” to put a face on this disease and provide strategies that can help African-American women live healthier lives. The event will be held at Mr. G’s Entertainment Center 1547 W. 87th Street from 12:00-6:30pm. It is also befitting that this program is being presented during Black History Month as we recognize African-Americans who contributed greatly to the welfare of our nation, one of these being Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, the first African-American heart surgeon. “We have an outstanding group of African-American female physicians from a cross section of disciplines who will arm women with knowledge about the diseases that lead to Cardiometabolic disease which can lead to heart attack and stroke as well as the role that obesity and menopause play. This information may be just what a woman needs to not only improve her health but extend her life”. The list of presenting physicians are: Dr. Jeannine Turner, cardiologist from Northwestern Hospital, Dr. Nicole Williams, an OB/GYN specialist from Mercy Hospital and internal medicine specialist, Dr. Kara Davis of Christian Community Health Center”, states Stantley. Once they are equipped with health information, we will arm our guests with alternative ways to prepare their favorite foods healthily as Chef Eric Paul owner of Alter Eatgo discusses healthy eating to reduce stroke and heart attack.
Recent numbers indicate that 22% or 50 million adults in the U. S. have Cardiometabolic disease (CMD). Forty-nine percent of African-American women have cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is one of the most serious complications of type 2 diabetes, and is attributed to 80% of diabetes related deaths.
The higher mortality rates of heart disease in African-American women seems to be the result of a higher proportion of African-American women exhibiting the risk factors for increased mortality-cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, inadequate physical activity, and obesity.
“One hundred women will also be screened to determine if they have the risk factors that lead to Cardiometabolic disease. While most of the slots are taken for the screening (only a few remain), we still have space for the education portion of our conference”, states Stantley. So we invite women to visit our website at www.blackexpocommdev.org or call our reservation line at 708-418-2008 to register. Because Space is limited everyone whose registration is accepted will be notified by email or telephone.
This conference is made possible by a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health and support from Astra Zeneca, Cargill and Merck. “We are extremely grateful to have been given these funds so that we could bring this important information to African-American women. We are extremely dedicated to our work to educate African-Americans about diseases that are shortening their lives and continue to seek funds that will allow us to do so”, states Stantley.
Black Expo Community Development Association has been engaged in providing information, education, and training to groups at greatest risk and most in need since its inception in 1990. “We begin each year knowing that we have a real battle ahead of us…a battle complicated by the lack of resources to wage an effective war. If we know nothing else, it takes money to fight any war and there is a huge need to wage a war against cardiovascular disease,” states Stantley. “It is our hope that this information reaches as many individuals as possible who determine where and how government and foundation funds get dispensed in order that the severity of this disease gets the attention it deserves.”
About Black Expo Community Development Association Inc. - African-American Health Education Initiative
An nineteen-year old not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization, dedicated to empowering socially and economically disadvantaged and underserved minorities through health information and education and providing access to medical resources. For more information about Black Expo Community Development and its African-American Health Education Initiative, (AAHEI) visit our website at www.blackexpocommdev.org.
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