Heart Disease:

Some Facts about African-Americans and Cardiovascular Health:

• Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among African Americans.
• The prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans in the United States is among the highest in the world.
• Among African Americans, 45 percent of men and 46 percent of women have total blood cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dL.
• 77.3 percent of non-Hispanic African-American women are overweight and 49.7 percent are obese.  Among non-Hispanic African-American men, 60.7 percent are overweight and 28.1 percent are obese.

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease…

That you can't change:

• Heredity - African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, native Hawaiians, and Asian Americans are at greater risk.
• Sex - males are at greater risk
• Increasing Age - the older you get, the higher the risk.

That you CAN change:

• Smoking
• High cholesterol (total cholesterol levels should be reduced to 160 and 199 mg/dL)
• High Blood Pressure (adult with 140/90 mmHg or if diabetic 130/85 mmHg)
• Physical Inactivity
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Stress
• Alcohol Consumption

How to change your Risk:

• Stop Smoking
• Eat a healthy diet (high in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and low in fat and salt)
• Be physically active
• Reduce your blood pressure (less than 140/90 mmHg if an adult)
• Lose weight (if overweight)
• Limit Alcohol Consumption (drinking more than 2 ounces/day or about 2 drinks is thought to add to high blood pressure)
• Reduce your cholesterol (total cholesterol levels should be reduced to 160 and 199 mg/dL)
• Get regular medical check-ups

References

http://www.americanheart.org/

http://www.diabetes.org/main/application/commercewf

 

National STD Awareness Month:

STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) are diseases that can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Some STDs can also be transmitted by kissing or intimate touching as well as sharing needles.

STD Stats (general)

-At least 1 in 4 Americans will contract an STD at some point in life.

-2/3 of all STDs occur in people <25, ¼ of all new STD infections occur in teens.

-As many as ¼ Americans have genital herpes, yet least 80% are unaware.

-HPV is the most common STD in the U.S. , Chlamydia is the most common STD in Philadelphia .

STD Stats (African Americans)

-The rates of Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Syphilis infection are the highest in African Americans compared to any other racial/ethnic minority.

-African American women are the highest risk group for herpes infection.

-Although African Americans make up about 12% if the US population, they accounted for half of the new HIV cases reported in 2001.

STD pop quiz…

- What are the 7 most common STDs?

Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, Herpes (HSV), Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Genital Warts (HPV), HIV/AIDS

- Which are curable, incurable?

Curable: Chlamydia, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Incurable : Hepatitis B, Herpes, Genital Warts, HIV/AIDS

- Which STDs can be passed on through kissing or intimate touching?

Herpes, Genital Warts, Syphilis

- Which STDs often don't show symptoms, can you still pass these on if you don't have symptoms?

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV. YES!

How to reduce your risk of catching an STD…

- Abstaining from sex will eliminate your risk

-If you choose to have sex, having only one partner

-If you choose to have sex, using a condom CORRECTLY

-Correct use of a condom:

-always store in cool dry place and check expiration date, never tear wrapper open with teeth, never use along with oil-based lubricants (petroleum jelly, baby oil, cooking oil), never use lambskin condoms (if allergic to latex use polyurethane condoms).

Contact for questions…

-National STD hotline 800-227-8922

-National AIDS hotline 800-342-2437