Heart Health Initiatives For Black History Month

February is Black History Month, and it's a time to honor the incredible accomplishments of African Americans, both past and present. But it's also American Heart Month, and a time to reflect upon the health disparities faced by the African American community, including the need for increased access to cardiac rehabilitation services.

It’s also Cardiac Rehab Week. Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive program of exercise, education, and support designed to help people recover from heart-related conditions. This program can help reduce the risk of future cardiac events, improve quality of life, and reduce hospital readmissions. It also has the potential to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being of those who participate.

African Americans are more likely to suffer from heart disease, yet less likely to receive cardiac rehab services. This disparity is due to a variety of factors, including lack of access to healthcare, limited resources in some communities, and cultural barriers. It's crucial that we take steps to close this gap and ensure that African Americans have the same access to care as everyone else.

Through these efforts, we can help reduce health disparities in the African American community and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and happy life. This is an essential part of Black History Month, and something we can all contribute to.

To further this goal, we need to support organizations that are dedicated to providing cardiac rehab services and resources to the African American community. We must also advocate for policies that promote equitable access to healthcare and work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get the care they need. Finally, we must create an environment of understanding and acceptance, so everyone can feel comfortable and supported in their pursuit of a healthier life. These steps can create a healthier and more equitable future for African Americans and all other marginalized communities.

Here are a few resources you can access today to help support these efforts:

• American Hearth Association - Be The Beat: https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/office-of-health-equity/black-history-month
• Understanding Heart Health Inequities During Black History Month: https://www.novartis.com/us-en/stories/understanding-heart-health-inequities-during-black-history-month
• CDC Celebrate African American History Month: https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/african-american-history/index.html
• National Wear Red Day takes on new significance during Black History Month: https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2023/02/03/national-wear-red-day-takes-on-new-significance-during-black-history-month