Resources

AHA Guide for Improving Cardiovascular Health at the Community Level 

The American Heart Association (AHA) recently released its Guide for Improving Cardiovascular Health at the Community Level, 2013 Update.  

 

The guide focuses on:

• Changing behaviors such as smoking, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits.
• Increasing awareness of risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, and adherence to treatment.
• Identifying community settings from worksites to barbershops that best impact health.
• Specifying the types of interventions - media, organizational partnerships and policy change - that may impact health

Please click here to access the full article.   

   

New from MMWR: Ethnic Disparities in Awareness, Treatment, and Control within Blood Pressure Stages Identified

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new report entitled "Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension-United States, 2003-2010." This report, the latest from the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), confirms well-documented racial/ethnic disparities among people with hypertension. In addition, the report reveals-for the first time-differences among individuals with stage 1 versus stage 2 hypertension by age, awareness level, prevalence of treatment, and insurance coverage. Please click here to access the full article.    

 

"Know Stroke" Toolkits 

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is featuring toolkits that provide materials needed for planning and conducting a stroke education event. Included is a facilitator's guide with step-by-step training on how to host a stroke awareness event; Know Stroke brochures in Spanish and English; What you Need to Know about Stroke brochures in Spanish and English;  posters; and an award-winning 8 minute videotape featuring interviews with medical experts and stroke patients.     

 

IOM Releases New Report: Sodium Intake in Populations: Assessment of Evidence 

Despite public health efforts over the past several decades to encourage people in the United States to consume less sodium, adults still consume an average of 3,400 mg/day, well above the current federal guideline of 2,300 mg or less daily. Evidence has shown that reducing sodium intake reduces blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Some recent research, however, suggests that sodium intakes that are low may also increase health risks - particularly in certain groups. Please click to access the press release and the report brief. 

Did You Know?

May is High Blood Pressure Education Month  

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke in the United States. Nearly 68 million American adults have hypertension - that is one in every three American adults. An additional 30% American adults are on the cusp of developing high blood pressure. Hypertension is the leading cause of doctor visits and costs $51 billion annually in direct medical expenses and lost productivity.

 

Without major change, hypertension and cardiovascular disease rates will continue to rise and consumers will pay the price for inaction. For more information on different types of activities to increase public awareness of cardiovascular disease and hypertension, please visit:

• Million Hearts 
• The National Forum 
• The Collaboration to Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke