Recognizing the Prevalence of Heart Disease and Stroke and its Impact on the Health of African-Americans and Latinos

Adopted

WHEREAS, heart disease, cancer, and stroke are the leading causes of death among African-Americans and Latinos; and 

WHEREAS, cardiovascular diseases rank as America's number one killer, claiming the lives of over 36 percent of the more than 2.4 million people who die each year in the United States. Cancer kills nearly 23 %, resulting in nearly 60% of all deaths being related to heart disease and cancer for Americans: and 

WHEREAS, the total direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the United States was $475.3 billion in 2009. By comparison, in 2008, the estimated cost of all cancer and benign neoplasms was $228 billion; and 

WHEREAS, nearly one in three children and teens in the United States is overweight or obese contributing to more kids than ever before who are developing high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and type 2 diabetes which are already occurring at increased rates among the adult population; and 

WHEREAS, conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity which are effecting African-American and Latino communities at higher rates than other ethnic groups and increase their risk of suffering from heart disease and stroke; and 

WHEREAS, African-Americans and Latinos are more likely to be concentrated in areas with poor socio-environmental conditions that provide fewer places for physical activity and healthy eating options and limited access to education and resources on how to live healthier lives; and 

WHEREAS, promoting regular physical activity, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet, and creating environments that support these behaviors are essential to addressing the problems of poor health across the population; and 

WHEREAS, programs such as the American Heart Association's Search Your Heart and Power To End Stroke Campaigns promote healthy communities through chronic disease prevention, nutrition, and physical activity education and are available to partner with community leaders and organizations to address this health crisis; and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP recognizes the importance of addressing heart disease and stroke as a means of supporting overall health within the African-American and Latino community. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP urges its units and members to partner with the American Heart Association's Search Your Heart and Power To End Stroke Campaigns and to advocate for policies that reduce health disparities, and implement programs that educate and empower individuals and families on chronic disease risk factors and warning signs, healthy eating, and physical activities to address these critical issues within the African-American and Latino populations.