Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!
Each year Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage (HHM) month from September 15 through October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
While the Hispanic identity and experience may be diverse, a shared desire to live a healthy life remains a common bond. At the American Heart Association, we recognize that with more than 57 million Hispanic Americans, the Hispanic/Latino community represents one of the largest groups in our country by far. In fact, with over $1.3 trillion in buying power, no other group spends at a higher rate on fresh foods. Despite this, Hispanic Americans are facing a major health crisis!
In recognition of HHM, the American Heart Association’s EmPOWERED To Serve movement is raising awareness on high blood pressure and related risk factors (diabetes and obesity) in Latino communities with a focus on moving from uncontrolled to controlled blood pressure numbers, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke in Hispanics.
Almost one in three Hispanic adults suffer from cardiovascular disease, making cardiovascular disease a leading cause of death for this community. Today, more than 79 percent of Hispanic men and 77 percent of Hispanic women are overweight or obese; diabetes and pre-diabetes effect close to half of all Hispanic adults; high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also contributing to negative health outcomes for the Hispanic community across the country.
While we understand that cultural factors, environmental influences, education, and economic status significantly impact personal health and the health of your community, this Hispanic Heritage Month the American Heart Association is spreading a message of hope: No matter what your situation is, you can take action to improve your health!
New York City, which has earned a reputation of being America’s “Melting Pot,” is home to more than 3.6 million Hispanic or Latino Americans. Our NYC team is are kicking off this month of celebration by participating in the “Univision Familia y Hogar Expo 2017” on Saturday, September 23. Familia y Hogar Expo, one of the largest family and health expos in New York City, is free and open to the public. We hope to meet over 10,000 Hispanic New Yorkers and begin a conversation about cardiovascular health and creating a culture of healthy living.
- As part of our commitment to the Hispanic community, we are also raising stroke awareness by sharing our F.A.S.T. program for how to spot stroke signs. FAST is an acronym that stands for:
Face drooping
Arm weakness
Speech Difficulty and
Time to call 911.
Stroke is a leading causes of death for both adults and children in this country. We will also provide Hands-Only CPR demonstrations, which is a proven life-saving skill; free blood pressure screenings; healthy cooking demonstrations; and much more. As always, the American Heart Association’s aims to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. We are committed to helping millions of Americans get their blood pressure under control. Knowing your numbers and keeping them under control will help you live a longer, healthier life.
Our work in the Hispanic community is led by our Multicultural Initiatives team, which works every day to build healthier lives in the highly diverse communities of New York City’s five boroughs. This work is of critical importance because multicultural populations, like the Hispanic community, are at a disproportionately elevated risk of suffering cardiovascular disease and stroke. Together, we can help close the disparity gap as we focus on saving and improving lives by building a culture of health.
If you are interested in participating in Family y Hogar Expo 2017, please contact Victor Bory.
What: Familia y Hogar Expo 2017!
Where: Resorts World Casino New York City, 110-00 Rockaway Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11420
When: Saturday, September 23rd from 10 am – 6 pm.
More information: Victor Bory, [email protected] or call 212-878-5981