BATON ROUGE, La. – August 20, 2024 - The American Heart Association, Capital Area the world’s leading nonprofit focused on heart and brain health for all, along with local sponsor Healthy Blue Louisiana, recently launched a new community health hub at the Alsen St. Irma Lee Community Village that will enable local residents to access a variety of health resources and education in a single location that includes:
- A self-monitoring blood pressure center with blood pressure devices, instructions on how to use them accurately, educational materials and a list of community health centers and health care professionals as part of the broader Libraries With Heart initiative;
- A CPR and First Aid Anywhere Training Kit to help build a Nation of Lifesavers,
- An AED (automated external defibrillator) on location; and
- Food pantry resources, including nutrition education materials, reuseable grocery tote bags and more.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with the American Heart Association, Capital Area to develop this multifaceted health hub at Alsen St. Irma for our community members,” said Dr. Christy Valentine Theard, President of Healthy Blue Louisiana. “These critical health education and care resources will help the participants monitor and stay on track with their blood pressure so they can live healthy lives.
Also, more of our residents will be able to be trained in critical CPR skills to potentially save lives. Through this hub, people will receive healthy foods and preparation skills that they previously might not have had access to.”
This facility will help address three key health issues that face the Baton Rouge community:
Hypertension, which is a serious health issue in the United States with nearly half of Americans ages 20 years and up – or more than 122 million people – having some form of high blood pressure[1]. The second leading cause of preventable death high blood pressure is projected to cost more than $200 billion annually in direct and indirect expenses by 2035.
Secondarily, with more than 350,0000 people experiencing cardiac arrests outside of a hospital, including 23,000 children, CPR is a critical skill that kids as young as 9 years old can learn. By providing reusable and sustainable CPR Anytime Kits to the Center, building a Nation of Lifesavers, is easier than ever.
Finally, more than 46% of the Baton Rouge area has low to no access to healthy food options. Many factors impact whether people have access to nutritious foods, making eating healthy extremely inconvenient, if not seemingly impossible. This food pantry assistance will further bolster the work the Center is already doing to help impact healthy food access even more in the community
“We are relentlessly focused on improving the health of our Baton Rouge area residents,” said Kerin Spears, executive director, American Heart Association, Greater Louisiana. “Hypertension rates play a large role in life expectancy, as does healthy food access. And knowing CPR, and at least Hands-Only CPR, is a critical skill to have. Initiatives such as the allow us to reach residents at the highest need.”
For more information about our work in Baton Rouge, contact AHABatonRouge@heart.org Or visit www.heart.org/Louisiana.
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us locally at Heart.org/Louisiana or on Facebook, Instagram or X.
For Media Inquiries:
Mary Fein, mary.fein@heart.org
[1] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/epub/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001209