WASHINGTON, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- This Mother's Day, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance) and AstraZeneca are encouraging Latinas to take positive steps toward taking better care of their hearts and the hearts of their loved ones. This effort is part of Para un corazon saludable (translation: For a healthy heart), a new educational initiative aimed at improving awareness and understanding of heart disease risk factors, including high cholesterol, among Hispanics.
"In many Hispanic households, the woman is the primary caregiver, and while looking after the needs of her family, she may overlook taking care of herself," said Dr. Jane Delgado, President and CEO of the Alliance. "As we celebrate Mother's Day, we're asking Latinas to take better care of their hearts by eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, knowing their cholesterol level, and talking to their health care provider about cardiovascular health."
Hispanics continue to make strides in addressing overall health issues and cholesterol prevention. According to a 2005 report from the Center for Disease Control, approximately one in two Hispanics reported that they had not had their cholesterol screened in the past 5 years, a rate that is twice as high as whites (48 percent vs. 24 percent). Hispanic women also are less likely than black and white women to engage in physical activity -- a major preventative measure for heart disease.
High cholesterol does not have physical symptoms, so it is especially important that women understand the relationship between cholesterol and heart disease, know the facts on prevention and treatment options, and talk to a health care provider about their personal risk factors.
Para un corazon saludable was designed to give Hispanics the knowledge and resources necessary to help them be heart healthy. In addition to providing educational materials to the community through the Alliance's Su Familia National Hispanic Family Health Helpline, the Alliance and AstraZeneca are collaborating on educational events in New York/New Jersey, Chicago, Miami, and Houston to further awareness in the Hispanic community on high cholesterol and its impact on heart health.
The first steps of prevention and treatment for high cholesterol generally may include regular exercise and diet. In addition to reducing cholesterol, these actions can help Latinas manage their weight, increase energy levels, reduce stress and blood pressure, and control diabetes. For people who have trouble lowering their cholesterol adequately by diet and exercise alone, there are a number of treatment options available.
To learn more about high cholesterol or to receive a free exercise band kit, call Su Familia, the National Hispanic Family Health Helpline at 1-866- 783-2645. To learn more about cholesterol and upcoming events in your area, visit http://www.hispanichealth.org/.
About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health
The National Alliance for Hispanic Health is the nation's foremost source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States. The Alliance represents thousands of Hispanic health providers across the nation providing services to more than 14 million each year, making a daily difference in the lives of Hispanic communities and families. For more information on Hispanic health and well being, visit http://www.hispanichealth.org/ or call the Alliance's Su Familia National Family Health Helpline at 866-783-2645.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of $26.47 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.
In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $12.44 billion healthcare business with more than 12,000 employees. For nearly three decades, AstraZeneca has offered drug assistance programs side by side with its medicines, and over the past five years, has provided over $3 billion in savings to more than 1 million patients throughout the US and Puerto Rico. AstraZeneca has been named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine and is the only large pharmaceutical company named to FORTUNE magazine's 2007 list of "100 Best Companies to Work For." In 2006, for the fifth consecutive year, Science magazine named AstraZeneca a "Top Employer" on its ranking of the world's most respected biopharmaceutical employers.
For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit: http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/.
Contacts:
Monica Granados Victoria Capelli
Edelman Multicultural Edelman Multicultural
(212) 704-8243 (212) 704-4440
