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La Red Health Center is partnering with the National Association of Community Health Centers to reduce the number of individuals in the African American community living with unmanaged high blood pressure and heart disease.
Staff from La Red Health Center are visiting churches in the African American community and offering free blood pressure screenings, along with information on how individuals can make healthier choices so they can lower their cholesterol, manage their stress and reduce their risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
La Red is also helping recruit ambassadors within the African American community to participate in the Live to the Beat initiative, which is ongoing and aimed at improving heart health.
The La Red Live to the Beat team held its first event in honor of both Black History Month and American Heart Month Feb. 18 at the Refuge Temple Revival Center in Seaford. About 50 people attended and received information about ways they can reduce their health risk and connect to care.
Attendees also were treated to fresh produce, water and heart-healthy turkey and chicken caesar wraps donated by Pizza King in Seaford. Guests were entered for a chance to win a free personal training session at Natural Power Fitness Studio in Seaford. La Red plans to hold similar events during the year to address higher rates of heart disease in the African American community.
According to the Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 30% more likely to die of heart disease than non-Hispanic whites. African American women are 50% more likely to have high blood pressure, often called the silent killer, than white women.
“La Red Health Center is focused on improving the health and lives of the people who live in the communities we serve,” said Rachel Hersh, La Red deputy director. “We know that many African American Sussex County residents aren’t receiving the tools and the connection to care that they need to prevent heart disease or manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure. La Red’s goal is to empower people to make lifestyle changes and receive care that can help save their lives.”
La Red Health Center has just under 14,000 patients who are served at its offices in Milford, Georgetown and Seaford. La Red provides healthcare services to all Sussex County residents, including those who are insured and underinsured.
A federally qualified health center in Sussex County, La Red has provided quality healthcare for individuals and families since 2001. Committed to ensuring the highest level of care for all individuals and families, La Red offers primary healthcare, pediatrics, women’s health services and behavioral health services at all three of its three locations. La Red also offers dental services at its Milford and Georgetown locations.
For more information, go to laredhealthcenter.org.
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