By Lauren Carr
Strategic Manager, Policy & Government Affairs
On Feb. 28, in honor of American Heart Month and Black History Month, EmblemHealth hosted an educational webinar on nutrition and heart health. It provided information on how to maintain a heart-healthy diet, how to support loved ones, and clinical risk factors to be aware of, especially for Black individuals and those at higher risk of heart disease.
To address this timely and critical issue, we were honored to receive support from New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse and New York State Sen. Leroy Comrie:
“Heart disease continues to be a pressing concern within our communities, disproportionately affecting Black people,” said Council Member Narcisse. “As a nurse, and advocate for health equity, I’m very aware of the impact this disease has on individuals and families alike, particularly in traditionally underserved areas. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among American adults and recent data found that Black people were 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic white people. The statistic demonstrates the urgency needed to address the vast disparities in heart health. I thank EmblemHealth for recognizing that education and awareness are powerful tools in combating heart disease. By equipping ourselves with knowledge, we empower our communities to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.”
“There are multiple important preventative measures which can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease, but we know that everyone doesn’t have equitable access to the resources, support, and education to equip themselves with that knowledge,” said Sen. Comrie. “That is why I am proud to have provided funding to support EmblemHealth in their Cambria Heights Neighborhood Care site in my district in Southeast Queens. The EmblemHealth team have created a special program where nutritional education and cooking demonstrations are being provided for free to community members. In addition, my office has been partnering with EmblemHealth to host farmers markets and food distributions, increasing access to healthy food in Southeast Queens.”
Rise Co-Chair Stacy Scott-Wilds, Clinical Leader, Utilization Management, EmblemHealth, guided the discussion with expert panelists: Dr. Sandra Nurse, Senior Medical Director, ACPNY; Ruth Greenfield, Registered Dietician, EmblemHealth; and Melinda Murray-Nyack, Founder & President, Dominic A. Murray 21 Memorial Foundation.
This discussion was also livestreamed at our Cambria Heights Neighborhood Care site, where community members joined us in person, and learned more about our ongoing support and services.