Spirit of the Heart aims to Reduce Heart Disease Death Rate in Baltimore, MD – the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) when they teamed up with Pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant, Pastor and Founder of Empowerment Temple Church, Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease and Sister-to-Sister Foundation to launch their Spirit of the Heart campaign in Baltimore, MD on Sunday.
ABC conducted community leader health seminars and a community health fair at Empowerment Temple AME Church to address risks for heart disease and to teach residents about the seven steps to heart health. ABC provided free health screenings and wellness information to help reduce the risks of developing heart diseases. The community was invited to get a free heart disease risk assessment that included: high blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, height, weight, body mass index and waist circumference. Along with healthy option food items, Zumba fitness sessions were also offered along with a kids healthy living corner.
“We are bringing experienced health care professionals to “high risk” residents of the community”, said Ola Akinboboye, MD, president of the Association of Black Cardiologists. “The Spirit of the Heart program is free. Friends and family are welcome to take part in heart health screenings and interact with the many different healthy living vendors on site at the health fair. We are excited to do this event because we want the entire community to be able to have access to free health screenings and doctors,” said Pastor Jamal Bryant.
Spirit of the Heart comes as national health data and government research show widening health disparities between people of color and the general population. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report indicates that there is a significant increase of teens, and young people, aged 15 to 44 hospitalized for stroke due partly to the increasing numbers of young people who have conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Heart Disease claims nearly 2000 lives in Baltimore City each year.
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