"PEACE of Heart" Campaign Comes to Metro Washington to Help Fight Heart Disease Epidemic among Minorities : Hallmark of Campaign's Health Screening Events Is Personalized ...( The PEACE of H...),Health

The PEACE of Heart campaign today came to Washington, D.C. and Maryland, launching a third preventive health screening and educational event as part of a national initiative to fight the epidemic of heart disease afflicting African Americans, low-income minority groups and other medically underserved communities. The campaign inspires people to lead heart-healthy lives through preventive screenings, education and hands-on support.

WASHINGTON (Business Wire EON) September 25, 2008 -- The goal is to move beyond mere screening and connect people with a physician to urge preventive steps that promote 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 happens the week after each screening to share screening results and again after about 90 days to ensure participants are adhering to any recommended treatment program. 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 is the number one killer of African Americans and Hispanics. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol – all risk factors for heart disease and stroke – show no sign of decline. Participants will be screened for blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, and diabetes.

"At United Health Foundation, we believe there is an urgent need to address the prevalence of heart disease in the African American and other minority communities," said Reed V. Tuckson, M.D., United Health Foundation board member and UnitedHealth Group executive vice president and chief of medical affairs. "Here in Washington, only two percent of people with insurance living in the neighborhood around Unity Health Center
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