Project HELP 2014

 To provide an intergenerational approach to Health and Wellness for the African American community using the Project HELP principles: ◦ Chronic Disease Prevention ◦ Healthy Eating ◦ Physical Activity Project HELP 2014

 Project HELP is an opportunity for local NAACP units to engage with their communities and provide crucial education and outreach that saves lives. Project HELP is prevention and empowers communities to take charge of their health. Project HELP 2014

 Increase participant knowledge of risk factors that lead to cardiovascular disease (i.e. hypertension, stroke, obesity, and diabetes);  Reduce health disparities in the African American community;  Develop community health advocates to build healthier environments for families. 4Project HELP 2014

Intergenerational Community Approach to Health and Wellness Project HELP 2014 Project H.E.L.P’s approach to health and wellness includes the entire family. Personal Responsibility + Community Responsibility = PROJECT H.E.L.P

Project HELP – Component III Project HELP 2014

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 CVD generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked arteries and blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.  Other heart conditions, such as infections and conditions that affect your heart's muscle, valves or beating rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease. Project HELP 20149

10 Adapted from the Center for Disease Control 2010

 CVD is the No. 1 killer of African-Americans.  According to the American Heart Association, 288,000 African American die each year from CVD.  This includes diseases of the heart, stroke, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, congenital cardiovascular defects, hardening of the arteries, and other diseases of the circulatory system. 11Project HELP 2014

 Risk factors are traits, lifestyles, and habits that increase a person’s chances of having cardiovascular disease.  Risk factors for CVD include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, stress and lack of exercise.  Rates increase in African Americans for CVD from when risk factors, such as high blood pressure, tobacco use, and obesity are not controlled. Project HELP

 Education: The best weapon to help combat CVD is education ( knowing the signs and symptoms). This knowledge will aid in preventative care and rapid intervention.  Signs & Symptoms: ◦ Chest pain or chest discomfort (angina) ◦ Pain in one or both arms, the left shoulder, neck, jaw, or back ◦ Shortness of breath ◦ Dizziness ◦ Faster heartbeats ◦ Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) ◦ Abnormal heartbeats ◦ Feeling very tired. 13Project HELP 2014

14 Project HELP 2014

 Diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood.  Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death, but people with diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications. 15Project HELP 2014

 Type 1 occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels;  Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells. The body is unable to use this glucose for energy despite high levels in the bloodstream. This leads to increased hunger;  The exact cause is unknown. Genetics, viruses, and autoimmune problems may play a role. 16Project HELP 2014

 Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. ◦ Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.  Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Total health care and related costs for the treatment of diabetes run about $174 billion annually. 17Project HELP 2014

 Nearly three million African Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes and millions more are likely to develop the disease in the coming years.  4.9 million; 18.7 percent of all African American ages 20 and older have been diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes.  1 in 4 African-American women ages 55 and older has diabetes.  African-Americans have high rates of at least two of diabetes’ most serious complications: amputation (such as having a toe or foot removed) and kidney failure. 18Project HELP 2014

Risk Factors you cannot control (Type 2 Diabetes) ◦ Age ◦ Race ◦ Family History  Risk Factors you CAN control (Type 2 Diabetes) ◦ Blood Pressure: High Blood pressure increases the work of the heart; ◦ Tobacco use: Nicotine narrows blood vessels, which can lead to high blood pressure; ◦ Cholesterol Level: High cholesterol increases the amount of fatty build up in your arteries that causes atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries 19 Project HELP 2014

 Obesity: Being over weight increases you risk for heart disease;  Physical Activity: Being inactive increases your chances of being overweight which can lead to cardiovascular issues 20Project HELP 2014

 Have your cholesterol tested once a year.  Reduce the amount of fats and cholesterol in your diet by eating fewer fried and fatty foods.  Stop smoking.  If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels at home and try to keep them as close to normal as possible. 21Project HELP 2014

 Keep a healthy body weight and an active lifestyle.  Stay up-to-date with all your vaccinations and get a flu shot every year.  Improve control of your blood sugar.  Get a foot exam by your health care provider at least twice a year and learn whether you have nerve damage. 22Project HELP 2014

23 Project HELP 2014

 Hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is chronically elevated. With every heart beat, the heart pumps blood through the arteries to the rest of the body.  Blood pressure is the force of blood that is pushing up against the walls of the blood vessels. If the pressure is too high, the heart has to work harder to pump, and this could lead to organ damage and several illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, aneurysm, or renal failure. 24Project HELP 2014

 The normal level for blood pressure is: ◦ below 120/80, where 120 represents the systolic measurement and 80 represents the diastolic measurement.  Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called pre-hypertension  Blood pressure of 140/90 or above is hypertension. 25Project HELP 2014

 African Americans develop hypertension at an earlier age and are more prone to have substantially elevated pressures than other groups in the U.S.  African-Americans are more likely to develop complications associated with high blood pressure. These problems include stroke, kidney disease, blindness, dementia, and heart disease. 26Project HELP 2014

African American have:  A 80% higher death rate associated with strokes due to hypertension;  A 50% higher death rate associated with heart disease due to hypertension;  A 320% higher death rate associated with end- stage kidney disease. 27Project HELP 2014

 Have your blood pressure checked at least once a year, and more often if you know you are at risk.  If you have high blood pressure, follow your treatment plan. Your health provider may suggest changes in your diet, order medicine, and give you a plan for exercise. 28Project HELP 2014

 Heredity, especially if someone in your family has had a heart attack before the age of 50;  Age and Gender, males develop heart and vascular diseases at an earlier age than females. For both men and women, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease increases as they get older. 29Project HELP 2014

 Take all medicines as ordered by your doctor;  Exercise at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes. Check with your health care team before starting an exercise program;  Learn how to relax and manage stress. 30Project HELP 2014

31 Project HELP 2014

 Blacks had 51 percent higher prevalence of obesity, and Hispanics had 21 percent higher obesity prevalence compared with whites.  Greater prevalence of obesity for blacks and whites were found in the South and Midwest than in the West and Northeast. Hispanics in the Northeast had lower obesity prevalence than Hispanics in the Midwest, South or West. 32Project HELP 2014

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 African American women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese compared to other groups in the U.S. About four out of five African American women are overweight or obese.obese 34Project HELP 2014

 The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6–11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0% in The rate among adolescents aged 12–19 more than tripled, increasing from 5.0% to 17.6%.  Children and adolescents who are overweight are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults; one study showed that children who became obese by age 8 were more severely obese as adults. 35Project HELP 2014

In keeping with her current crusade against childhood obesity, First Lady, Michelle Obama addressed the NAACP national convention discussing parental responsibility for the health of their children. Obesity affects African American children more than any other demographic. 36Project HELP 2014

Niiobli Armah, MA – Director, Health Programs ▫ (410) Vivian Duru –Program Specialist, Health Programs ▫ (410) Rev. Keron Sadler, MDiv - HIV Program Manager ▫ (410) Tabatha Magobet, MPH– HIV Program Coordinator ▫ (410) Jennifer White, MSPH – Manager, Health Programs & Partnerships ▫ (410)