Mississippi Link Newswire
On Aug. 6, members of the community, local organizations and Jackson-area health care providers joined together to raise awareness for heart failure and its disproportionate effect on African Americans.
According to data available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mississippi has the highest heart failure mortality rate in the U.S. among blacks of all ages. In Hinds and Rankin counties, the heart failure mortality rates for blacks of all ages are higher than the overall rates in those counties.
The community event, hosted by Greater Bethlehem Temple Church as a part of the Live To The Beat campaign, was an interactive experience that featured a panel presentation, heart-healthy food tasting and fellowship. Sponsored by Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC, the event centered on how African Americans can confidently take control of their heart health and help prevent heart failure.
“Heart failure is an ever-present issue in Jackson, but we have an opportunity to address it – both individually and as a community,” said Senator Sollie B. Norwood, D-Jackson. “Both citizens and leaders must share the commitment to change the impact of heart failure in our town. I’m encouraged by the discussions and proactive steps attendees took today to ‘Live To The Beat,’ and urge my fellow community members to join me as we work to improve heart health in Jackson.”
Anchorwoman Erin Pickens, with ABC-affiliate 16 WAPT, emceed the event, which included panelists Dr. Malcolm Taylor, director of the Heart Failure Clinic at St. Dominic Hospital; Beverly Oliver, cardiovascular nurse practitioner at St. Dominic Hospital; heart failure patient Catherine Wilson; and Mangle L. Shanks, Ph.D., department of outreach and social services at Greater Bethlehem Temple Church and CEO of SHEETS, Inc.
The group shared their connections to heart failure, information about the condition and perspectives on uniting the Jackson community to fight the issue locally.
At mobile iPad stations, event participants took the Live To The Beat pledge to change the impact of heart failure in the African-American community.
More than 60 people attended the event, where they enjoyed a tasting of healthy foods, received heart health resources and took photos to commemorate their pledges to “Live To The Beat.”
“It’s important to Greater Bethlehem Temple Church to bring events like this to the community because the outcome is a sense of both empowerment and support to take control of one’s health,” said Shanks. “We have a responsibility to help our community live healthier lives, and we hope this open dialogue and partnership continues in order to positively change health outcomes in Jackson.”
Heart failure is a serious condition that develops over time as the heart loses its ability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Studies show that African Americans carry a higher risk for developing heart failure than other racial and ethnic groups.
“Through this event, we hope the community understands that ‘living to the beat’ and changing the course of heart failure is often a matter of choice,” said Taylor. “We joined together to raise awareness that lifestyle choices like maintaining a healthy diet and discussing heart health with a health care provider can change the course of heart failure – but this starts with self-education and accountability for the health of ourselves and our loved ones.”
To learn more about heart failure, attendees and individuals in the community are encouraged to visit LiveToTheBeat.com for resources for healthy living and information on heart failure.
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