Heart Disease Kills More Than 20,000 Latinas Each Year
WomenHeart launches awareness campaign for Hispanic Heritage Month
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#DelCorazon–WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease today
launched its inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month campaign, made possible
by Burlington
Stores. With nearly 48 million women living with or at risk for
heart disease—almost 1 in 3 Hispanic women—the campaign will raise heart
health awareness among Latinas and will run from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15.
“As a woman heart disease patient, I fully know the importance of
receiving the type of support and services that WomenHeart offers to
women living with or at risk of heart disease” said WomenHeart
Champion and Board Chair Evan McCabe. “Heart disease is the leading
cause of death for women and it kills more than 20,000 Hispanic women
annually, which is why we are very excited to kick-off this awareness
campaign.”
This year’s theme, #DelCorazón, means ‘of the heart,’ it symbolizes the
joining of hearts in the community to fight heart disease. Throughout
Hispanic Heritage Month, WomenHeart will share digital content,
including heart health facts, advice from Latina cardiology experts, and
quotes from WomenHeart Champions like Ann de Velasco. She founded
the first and only Spanish-speaking support group for women heart
disease patients.
“For many years we have pioneered efforts to reach out to our Hispanic heartsisters
in south Fla. and around the country,” said de Velasco. “Through
creative and committed networking we made connections that resulted in
the development of Spanish language materials. WomenHeart of Miami en
Español remains the only support group exclusively for Hispanic women –
we desperately hope other areas will follow our lead. The need is real.”
“WomenHeart is committed to increasing awareness about heart disease in
communities of color,” added McCabe. “With only about a third of Latinas
aware that heart disease is their number one killer we need to continue
to provide support and education that will ensure that all women living
with or at risk of heart disease live longer, healthier lives.”
The campaign will also feature a Twitter Chat with Latina cardiologists Fatima
Rodriguez, M.D. and Maribel
Hernandez, M.D. on Wed., Sept. 26 at 1:00 p.m. EST. To learn more
about our free Spanish support programs, educational materials, and
toll-free help line (800-676-6002) visit womenheart.org.
About WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is
the nation’s only patient centered organization serving the nearly 48
million American women living with or at risk for heart disease—the
leading cause of death in women. Visit us online at womenheart.org.
Contacts
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease
Anthony
Vieira, 202-464-8775
Jr., Manager, Communications
avieira@womenheart.org
