In an appropriate prelude to the San Antonio’s Heart Ball,held in April, The American Heart Association (AHA) hasannounced new mortality data from the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention (CDC). This data shows that since 1999,coronary heart disease and stroke age–adjusted death rates aredown by 25.8 percent and 24.4 percent, respectively.This means that the AmericanHeart Association’s 2010 strategic goal forreducing deaths from coronary heart diseasehas been achieved, and for stroke nearlyachieved – ahead of time.
In 1999, the American Heart Associationset a strategic goal of reducing thedeath rates from coronary heart disease andstroke, and reducing the risk factors for thesediseases by 25 percent by 2010. The new CDCdata notes early success in meeting the coronaryheart disease death rate goal, and showsthat success is near for the 25 percent reductionin stroke. However, American Heart Associationpresident Dan Jones, M.D., said thevictory could be short–lived if the risk factorsthat lead to heart disease and stroke are notalso reduced.
“This progress in the reduction ofdeath rates is a landmark achievement, andhas come about as a result of tremendous effortsfrom many partners in research, healthcare,government, business and communities,”Jones said. “As encouraging as it is, heart diseaseand stroke remain the No. 1 and No. 3causes of death in the United States. We stillhave remaining goals that we haven’t yet met– reductions in the risk factors that lead to heart disease andstroke, as well as eliminating the striking disparities in care forwomen and minority populations. We must continue to addressthose concerns at the same time we continue to support the advancesthat we know are saving lives today.”
Much of the success announced by the American Heart Associationcomes from direct public cause campaigning throughawareness and fundraising events. In San Antonio there areseveral events that promote heart health awareness in a myriadof fashions. A proven example for the Latina population is theAHA has developed the “Vestido Rojo de todo Corazon” initiativethat provides San Antonio Latinas the opportunity to attain freehealth screenings and nutritional information to live heart healthylives. “This type of information is valuable to women that are caringfor families; so that they can feed and teach their own familieshow to eat with consideration to their hearthealth.” states Cultural Health Initiatives Director,Nora Silva.
San Antonio is one of the fortunatemarkets for the American Heart Associationwhen it comes to awareness events and blacktie galas. “Last year, the Heart Ball in SanAntonio raised over $223,000 and this yearwe are poised to raise over half a million dollarswith support from local San Antonio businessesand partners,” reports Corporate MarketDirector, Lauren Thomas.
This type of corporate awareness starts withevents such as the Go Red for Women Luncheon,Love Your Heart Networking Breakfastand the Start! Heart Walk Campaign thatencourages corporations to involve employeesto participate in heart healthy events, corporatenetworking and fundraising. With support andalliances built through the development staffat the American Heart Association that hasbrought over $3.1 million in active grants to theSan Antonio medical community; the AHAkeeps on working diligently to continue the upwardswing; while realizing there is still a considerableamount of research to be completed.
Coronary heart disease age–adjusted deathrates for women have dropped 26.9 percent since 1999. But, ageadjustedstroke death rates among women are down by only 23.7percent, lower than the overall age–adjusted stroke death rate reductionand the age–adjusted stoke death rate reduction for men,which is 25.8 percent. The age–adjusted death rate for blacks isdown 23.8 percent for coronary heart disease (compared to 25.6percent for whites) and 20.3 percent for stroke (compared to 25percent for whites.)
These disparities in the outcomes for women and minority populationsare echoed in the statistics for those living in certain partsof the country, such as San Antonio, and for those with lower incomelevels.
