Population at Risk

Heart Failure in African-Americans Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the top killers in the world population and number one in the U.S. Heart failure is the number one killer in the U.S. And stroke, number three. The African-American Population has even higher numbers that fall victims to these killers. The main factors that lead to heart failure and stroke are: "high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes, poor diet and physical inactivity," with their natural consequences: "overweight and obesity" (http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=21).

Although heart diseases are the number one cause of death in the U.S. today, they are also among the most preventable diseases. An unprecedented opportunity to prevent heart disease and stroke exists today in the United States. "We know what causes these conditions and how to prevent them, largely because of the decades of research supported by NIH, the American Heart Association, and others" (http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/action_plan/pdfs/action_plan_full.pdf ). The African-American Population in the U.S.

is at higher risks to die because of a CVD. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website, "with $56.2 million in Fiscal Year 2010, CDC funded health departments in 41 states and the District of Columbia to conduct heart disease and stroke prevention programs, 6 states to continue their Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry programs, and 5 sites to support sodium reduction efforts"( http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/dhdsp.htm).

Are mentioned before, among the most important causes leading to death or disability due to heart disease is high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure is also one of the most important targets for public health policy makers. Along with high cholesterol and smoking, these potential causes for heart disease are the main targets for the prevention programs across the country. The numbers speak for themselves.

The aim of health care professionals should be to get the tens of millions of adults to be aware of their high blood pressure condition and get it under control, for example. Getting the situation under control is of essence, considering that nationwide, there are still tens of millions of Americans who are not even aware of their condition. Prevention of heart diseases should be, of course, the number one target for the state and federal governments.

First, the tracking and monitoring of those that are mostly at risk of dying or surviving heart failure or stroke with disabilities, among whom the African-Americans over 65, should be the number one point of interest at every state level. One of the most illustrative examples is Jefferson County, Alabama. The county "has a 30% obesity rate and its death rate from lung cancer is among the highest in Alabama.

It rates of heart disease and strokes are18 and 50% higher, respectively, than the national average"( http://www.jcdh.org/misc/ViewBLOB.aspx?BLOBId=270). "Improved nutrition and physical activity" are the main targets for prevention programs for heart disease and strokes. Media campaigns was to be allocated a large portion of the funding, considering how important its direct impact on the target population was. Another factor of risk is the genetic factor. Family history becomes one of the most important aspects in the prevention programs.

"A Public Health Action Plan to Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke." American Heart Association. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/action_plan/pdfs/action_plan_full.pdf. Retrieved: Sep 28th, 2014 Healthy People.gov. Avalable at: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=21 Retrieved: Sep 29th, 2014 Hansen, Jeff. The Birmingham.