Programs and Data

AIRS

Breaking the Silence

CAFÉ

African American Heart Disease and Stroke Risk Reduction Program

GASP

Healthy Kids Are Happy Kids

Immunization Action Program

Ledyard Safe Teens Coalition

Lyme Disease Prevention

More Active People

NLC Health Study

SMILES

Latino Women's Healthy Heart Program

Latino Women's Healthy Heart Program

Ledge Light Health District has received funding from the CT Department of Public Health to implement a program to promote heart-healthy lifestyles for Latino women in the local area. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all women. Nearly twice as many women die of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases as from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.  Currently, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Hispanic Americans, accounting for 28.6% of all annual Hispanic deaths.

The Latino Preventive Health Partnership

The Women's Healthy Heart Program aims to assure that our community environment fosters good health for thousands of Latinos in Southeastern Connecticut. To guide our efforts, we have brought together community residents, churches, health and social service providers and churches, to form the Latino Preventive Health Partnership. Their first charges are to reduce heart attack and stroke among Latino women and reduce associated risk factors; increase access to health care and social services; and gather important information about the health status of Latinos communities.

Please join us! The Latino Preventive Partnership meets monthly. For more information contact Rosanna Borjas at 860.448.4882 ext. 341.

Celebrate  Health

Celebrate Health is a subprogram of Women's Healthy Heart that is aimed at Hispanic women to teach them about cardiovascular health and its maintenance. Through a series of educational seminars that promote a heart-healthy lifestyle, the program aims to help women not only identify the risk factors that threaten their well-being, but also turn their lives around towards a healthy future. Participants receive free health screenings, cooking and dance classes, education on managing diabetes, stress management and goal setting.

The “Celebrate Health Program” encourages women to adopt heart-healthy lifestyles, increase their recognition of the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke, and recognize the importance of calling 9-1-1.

Promotoras

Trained Promotoras (Outreach Workers) work in the community to connect with women who may be at risk for heart disease and may not even know it.  Promotoras provide women with a supportive atmosphere to talk about their health concerns and learn more about important health and social services. They recruit women for Celebrate Health and spread the word about heart-healthy lifestyles. 

Heart Facts for Latinas - Did You Know?  

• Currently, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Hispanic Americans, accounting for 28.6% of all annual Hispanic deaths.
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for all women. Nearly twice as many women die of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases as from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.
• About 23% of women will die within one year of having a heart attack.
• Within six years of having a heart attack, about 46% become disabled with heart failure.
• Two-thirds of women who have a heart attack fail to make a full recovery.

Are You at Risk for Having a Heart Attack or Stroke?

Women need to be aware of what risk factors put them individually at the most risk of heart attack or stroke. Having just one of these risk factors doubles the risk for developing cardiovascular disease:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Overweight
• Sedentary lifestyle

Common Risk Factors Among Connecticut Women:

• 50% of women are inactive, defined as less than 30 minutes of moderate activity at least five days a week.
• 41% of African American, 23% of White women report having high blood pressure.
• 15% of women have never had their cholesterol checked.

What Are You Waiting For?  – Call Today! Live Healthier and Longer!

 

The Women's Healthy Heart Program is funded by the Connecticut Department of Public Health