AHA challenges tribal leaders to 'Check. Change. Control.'

Heart Healthy Natives Tribal Leadership Challenge helps Native American community manage blood pressure
 
OKLAHOMA CITY – Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American Indians. American Indians and Alaska Natives die from heart disease at younger ages than any other ethnic group in the United States. About 36 percent of those who die of heart disease die before age 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Heart Healthy Natives Tribal Leadership Challenge was created as the kickoff initiative to encourage tribal leadership and community members to participate in American Heart Association’s “Check. Change. Control.” blood pressure management program. “Check. Change. Control.” is a way for individuals to identify, lower and maintain healthy blood pressure levels to strengthen tribal community wellness. This program focuses on increasing physical activity, healthier eating, and better management of high blood pressure through education and tracking to check participant blood pressure readings. The program uses a convenient and easy digital, online tracking system called Heart360.

Under the program, tribal leaders who meet the requirements (reporting weekly blood pressure readings, reporting steps taken and social media interaction) will be eligible to win a $2,500 college scholarship for a student tribal member.

The American Heart Association is committed to building healthier lives free from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The Challenge will support tribal communities in taking action to prevent chronic diseases and ultimately reduce health disparities by encouraging a shared responsibilities for the health of the community.

It begins Jan. 26, 2015 and runs through May 15, 2015. Please contact Rachel Crawford 405-948-2134 for more information and to sign up.

 – About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.