Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
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7.02.2008 - 07:57am ET
News from:
UnitedHealth Group
"Peace Of Heart" Campaign Launches Novel Approach To Fight Heart Disease Epidemic Among Minorities
(CSRwire) Coalition of African American Leaders and Physicians, Community and
Preventive Health Organizations, and Laboratory Corporation of America
Join UnitedHealth Group and United Health Foundation to Help Communities
Lead Heart-Healthy Lives
Personalized Follow-Up Will Be Unique Hallmark of Program
Rev. Jesse Jackson Kicks off National Campaign at
Health Screening and Outreach Event in Chicago
CHICAGO,IL. - July 2, 2008 - A unique coalition of minority groups,
physicians, community health advocates and companies in the health care
sector today launched PEACE of Heart, a campaign taking a novel approach
to help fight the epidemic of heart-related disease in minority,
low-income communities through education, preventive screening and
hands-on support.
The goal is to move beyond mere screening and help those at risk connect
with a physician and other health care professionals to urge preventive
steps that promote heart-healthy lives. Participants will be encouraged to
establish a "medical home" at a community health center or elsewhere. PEACE
of Heart is also unique because of the personalized follow-up that will
happen the week after the event to share screening results and again after
about 90 days to ensure participants are adhering to any recommended
treatment.
The PEACE of Heart campaign begins today with health screenings in Chicago
and will also roll-out to Atlanta, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Miami,
and New York City. The campaign will also include outreach to
approximately 20,000 physicians in the six screening cities to encourage
the use of clinical evidence in detecting, treating and preventing
heart-related health issues. The acronym PEACE encapsulates the core
elements of the program: Partnership, Evaluation, Action, Community and
Education.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and
the highest fatality rates are among African Americans and other medically
underserved communities. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high
cholesterol – all risk factors for heart disease and stroke – show no
sign of decline.
"For too long, we've read about statistics. The PEACE of Heart campaign is
about action," said Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., founder and president of
Rainbow PUSH Coalition. "It is our hope that minorities, especially, will
take their health seriously and take advantage of these health screenings.
Early detection leads to correction."
The campaign will work to identify people at risk in underserved
communities in six cities through free screenings at community health
centers selected with the help of the National Association of Community
Health Centers (NACHC). LabCorp(R), another of the campaign's partners,
will test cholesterol and blood glucose at no cost to participants.
The campaign partners are: "At United Health Foundation, we believe there is an urgent need to
address the prevalence of heart disease in the African American
community," said Reed V. Tuckson, M.D., United Health Foundation Board
Member and UnitedHealth Group Executive Vice President and Chief of
Medical Affairs. "Everyone – individuals, the private sector,
non-profits, and policy makers – needs to make strides to help people
lead the lives that will prevent heart disease and to support the delivery
of better cardiovascular care."
As a result of a high prevalence of hypertension, African Americans have a
1.5 times greater rate of heart disease death and 1.8 times greater rate of
fatal stroke than Caucasians, according to the American Heart Association
(AHA). Heart disease, stroke and all other cardiovascular diseases account
for 33 percent of deaths among African American males and 38 percent of
deaths among African American females, according to recent statistics
cited by the AHA.
The risk factors that contribute to heart disease often go undetected in
minority communities and treatment can fall short, because those with low
incomes do not routinely visit a doctor and thus many do not have a
"medical home" which can serve as a source of regular care. That is why
PEACE of Heart will work through community health centers in the six
screening cities on a sustained basis.
The American Heart Association will make its extensive educational and
community-based resources available to the campaign. At the same time, the
National Medical Association and coalition partners from the Association of
Black Cardiologists and the National Minority Quality Forum will reach out
to practicing physicians to highlight the importance of using
evidence-based guidance to deliver more effective preventive care and
treatment among minorities.
In Chicago, PEACE of Heart will host two screening events on Wednesday,
July 2, 2008 at Komed Holman Health Center from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and
at Mile Square Health Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Participants will
be screened for blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, and diabetes.
Rev. Jackson and Dr. Tuckson will host a press conference at 2:30 PM at
Mile Square Health Center to discuss the initiative and answer questions
about the campaign’s goals.
For more information please contact:
Jane Berg
UnitedHealth Group
612-910-6471
952-945-7508
Greg Thompson
UnitedHealth Group
312-424-6913
www.unitedhealthgroup.com
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Health & Wellness and Community Development
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