Partnership to Transform Health Outcomes in Local Communities

by Kathy Grear 10/16/2015

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s EmPowered To Serve and Go Red For Women movements and Delta Sigma Theta today announced a national partnership that will combine the best-in-class outreach strategies to transform health outcomes in local communities. Together, the organizations plan to integrate their shared interests of reaching women, increasing awareness through education and impacting multicultural health, reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

As multicultural people across America face greater disparities in cardiovascular health, the strategic alliances jointly aim to provide accessible health resources to communities. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s My Life Check, a short survey based on the knowledge of medical experts to assess an individual’s health status; and Life’s Simple 7, seven identified health factors and lifestyle behaviors that support heart health and can greatly impact the quality of life and life span,along with increased messaging and awareness of the importance of the annual Well-Women Visit will be utilized to create measureable, positive health results.

“Improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% while reducing deaths and disabilities by 20% by the year 2020 is not an impact goal for the faint of heart. Its execution requires powerful strategic partnerships driving sustainable multicultural health transformation,” said Pamela Garmon Johnson, Vice President of Multicultural Markets at American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. “We are honored to partner with an organization, aligned on a journey to generate awareness and revolutionize health culture, meeting people where they are, through EmPowered To Serve.”

The EmPowered To Serve movement is a national strategic initiative engaging communities and building powerful relationships through targeted health efforts. EmPowered To Serve provides free health resources and support through its online megacommunity, an interactive hub where multicultural individuals and organizations unite to share best practices, information and results, employing science-based education to inspire small changes towards building a culture of health.

Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. For more than a decade Go Red For Women has fought for equal health opportunity for women—in research, treatment, and diagnosis. Go Red has proudly worn red, shared stories and elevated awareness of the No. 1 killer of women by 26%, translating to approximately 40 million more women knowing their risk. The fight mobilizes women to establish social norms that make it easier to live healthier lives.

“Cardiovascuar disease kills more women than all forms of cancers combined… let that sink in for a minute,” said Dr. Paulette C. Walker, 25th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. “We take pride in our uncompromising commitment to communities and we can’t think of a more critical, lifesaving mission to deliver through this powerful partnership.”

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities. Since its founding more than 200,000 women have joined the organization which is currently comprised of 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters globally. The organization is a sisterhood of predominantly Black, college educated women. Project 13 is a national initiative of Delta Sigma Theta, comprised of 13 partnerships actively collaborating with non-profit agencies, organizations and corporations, to transform lives. •