CMS NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: CMS Media Relations
January 31, 2013 (202) 690-6145 or
Division of Information & Education
(240) 453-8833
African Americans in Alabama get help to fight cardiovascular disease and stroke
African
Americans living in parts of Alabama will get improved access to
community-based health services to prevent heart attacks and strokes
through a new public, private partnership led by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS).
The Morehouse School of Medicine and HHS awarded $900,000 to the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. to target three counties in Alabama where African Americans face significantly high rates of cardiovascular disease. The National Baptist Convention will build on the strengths of faith-based organizations to connect communities to vital health care resources like hypertension management services, including blood pressure monitoring, free or low-cost medication, and patient counseling and education.
The Morehouse School of Medicine and HHS awarded $900,000 to the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. to target three counties in Alabama where African Americans face significantly high rates of cardiovascular disease. The National Baptist Convention will build on the strengths of faith-based organizations to connect communities to vital health care resources like hypertension management services, including blood pressure monitoring, free or low-cost medication, and patient counseling and education.
The
Million Hearts Stroke Belt Project is being funded jointly through the
HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) and the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS/OMH).
“Partnerships that help reduce health disparities and save lives is our priority at HHS,” said J. Nadine Gracia, M.D., M.S.C.E., deputy assistant secretary for minority health. “This project helps educate and empower people to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.”
“Partnerships that help reduce health disparities and save lives is our priority at HHS,” said J. Nadine Gracia, M.D., M.S.C.E., deputy assistant secretary for minority health. “This project helps educate and empower people to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.”
“The
Affordable Care Act has made preventive services more accessible to
Americans, including those at higher risk of heart disease and stroke,”
said Cara V. James Ph.D., CMS/ OMH director.
African
Americans are 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease,
according to 2009 data from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. African Americans living in Alabama – one of
the states that comprises an area referred to as the “Stroke Belt” –
lack access to health care. Fifty-four of the 67 counties in Alabama
have a shortage of primary medical care, dental or mental health
providers.
Together, OMH and CMS/OMH operations are dedicated to improving the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities. To learn more, visit: http://minorityhealth.hhs.
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