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AAAC, DPH and
Stroke Association
Ban Together to Block Stroke
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PARTNERSHIP & CAMPAIGN
While stroke is a serious health concern for
many people, it disproportionately affects African-Americans.
That’s why the African-American Affairs Commission (AAAC) has
teamed up with the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH)
and the American Stroke Association to increase awareness of
stroke as a medical condition and how to prevent it.
The partnership’s first public information campaign was launched
in May and will continue through June 2006. Currently four
African-American interest newspapers are running stroke
prevention advertisements. Sixteen radio stations are
broadcasting public service announcements voiced by Channel 8’s
Keith Kountz. Additional public outreach, education and
information efforts are in the process of being planned. |
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STROKE & THE STATS
A stroke or “brain attack” is a sudden interruption in the blood
supply to the brain. Usually strokes are caused by an abrupt
blockage of arteries leading to the brain. Other strokes are
caused by bleeding in the brain when a blood vessel bursts.
In its report of national data, the
American Heart Association found: |
1. Blacks have almost
twice the risk of first-ever strokes compared to whites.
2. Blacks have higher death rates for stroke compared to
whites.
3. The prevalence of high blood pressure in African
Americans in the United States is the highest in the
world. |
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Unfortunately, Connecticut mirrors
these trends. According to the Connecticut Department of Public
Health: |
Black females have
significantly higher age-adjusted stroke death rates
compared with white and Hispanic females in Connecticut
(Age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population, 1999-2001;
black females – 58.0, white females – 45.5, Hispanic
females - 37.9)
Black males and females have significantly higher
premature mortality up to age 75 compared with white males
and females in Connecticut (Age-adjusted Years of
Potential Life Lost Rates per 100,000 population,
1999-2001: black males – 306.9, white males - 116.0,
Hispanic males – 157.2, black females 292.1, white females
99.9, Hispanic females 112.2 – Hispanic vs. white male and
Hispanic vs. white female rates are not significantly
different). |
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There are a number of factors that
can contribute to increased stroke risk. The most frequent
causes are hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and cigarette
smoking. To protect your health and the health of those you care
for, it’s important to know that a stroke is a medical
emergency. If you see or have one or more of the following
symptoms that last for more than a few minutes, call 9-1-1
immediately. |
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STROKE WARNING SIGNS:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg,
especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or
coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
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WANT TO KNOW MORE?
For more information about strokes and how you can help prevent
them, contact the African-American Affairs Commission (860)
240-8555, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (860)
509-8211, or the American Stroke Association at
www.strokeassociation.org.
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