REACH For Wellness is a cardiovascular disease prevention coalition sponsored by the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness, Office of Healthy Behaviors. REACH For Wellness encourages lifestyle changes to reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke. REACH offers free community-based services such as nutrition education classes; physical activity programs; empowerment groups; and cardiovascular wellness centers in churches, barbershops and beauty salons. REACH For Wellness is a collaborative effort between the Divine Universal Sisterhood, Sisters Action Team and the Association of Black Cardiologists.
 REACH
2010
One of the goals of Healthy People 2010, which
describes the nation’s health objectives for
the decade, is to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities
in health. Despite great improvements in the
overall health of the nation, Americans who are members
of racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely
than whites to have poor health and to die prematurely.
Racial and Ethnic Approaches
to Community Health (REACH) 2010 is one of the
cornerstones of CDC’s
efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities
in health. Launched in 1999, REACH is designed
to eliminate disparities in the following six priority
areas: cardiovascular disease, immunizations, breast and cervical cancer screening and management, diabetes,
HIV/AIDS, and infant mortality. The racial
and ethnic groups targeted by REACH 2010 are African
Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian
Americans, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders.
Upload CDC's Health Promotion At-A-Glance
Report for REACH
 Racial
and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH)
2010: Addressing Disparities in Health
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Content
Source: U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, Division of Adult and Community
Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion |
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| Cardiovascular
disease (diseases of the heart and 
blood vessels:
including heart attack and stroke) is the leading
cause of death in Georgia. Heart disease often strikes
people in the prime of their lives, causing early
deaths. African American men living in Fulton County
can expect to live to age 61, African American women
to age 72. White men can expect to live to age 71,
white women to age 79. |
| Warning
Signs of Heart Attack |
|
- Uncomfortable
pressure, squeezing or pain
 in the
center of the chest that lasts more than
a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
- Pain
that spreads to the shoulders, neck and arms.
- Chest pains with lightheadedness, fainting,
sweating, nausea or shortness of breath
- Palpitations (strong, fast heart beats)
|
 Warning
Signs of Stroke
- Sudden numbness
or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially
on one side
- Difficulty speaking or understanding
what others are saying to you
- Sudden and severe headache,
with no known cause
- Sudden blurred vision
- Dizziness
|
| Controlling
Risk Factors |
|
Don’t
use tobacco
Smoking increases the risk of stroke and
heartproblems. |
|
Control your blood pressure
Blood pressure at or above 120/80 is considered high. Get
checked regularly. |
|
Get
Active! Maintain healthy weight
Being overweight strains the heart. Keep your weight down with healthy
meals and regular physical activity. Aim
for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most
days of the week. |
|
Control
your cholesterol
Avoid foods rich in saturated fats and cholesterol
such as fried foods, butter, eggs, whole milk,
etc. |
|
Eat
healthy foods
Eat five or more servings of fruits, vegetables
and whole grains per day. Avoid
luncheon meats, bacon, hot dogs and fast foods. Limit
your intake of fat. |
|
Take
your medicine as prescribed
Follow your doctor’s advice. Don’t stop taking your medicine
unless you are told to do so. Let your doctor know if you don’t
feel better. |
|
Manage
stress
Set limits to help handle stress. Take time to relax. |
|
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