American Heart Association’s San Antonio Division Seeks To Raise Cardiovascular Health Awareness Among Hispanics
The American Heart Association's San Antonio Division last month held an educational forum that addressed Hispanics increased risk for cardiovascular disease and the need to increase awareness, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
The State of the Heart community health forum, which was attended by about 50 local health professionals, community leaders and representatives from several not-for-profit organizations, provided attendees with the 2007 Heart Facts guide. According to the guide, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for Hispanics, followed by cancer.
The forum highlighted AHA's Conozca su Corazón Challenge. The program began several years ago as a faith-based and community-outreach effort that enlisted local partners to organize nutrition education, screenings and walking groups in the Hispanic community, according to Nora Silva, director of cultural health initiatives with AHA San Antonio Division.
AHA supplied the program with health experts for speaking engagements and funds for health screenings from January through May. About 20 organizations and church groups competed for up to $2,000 for having the most participants in the program. AHA within the next six months will seek new partners to restart the six-month challenge this fall (Mondo, San Antonio Express-News, 7/18).
