"Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. "

The information provided in the bulletin and website should never serve as a replacement for medical advice and treatment. Our prayer is that you are able to use the information provided here to initiate discussions with a healthcare provider.

May

Heart disease and stroke are major health risks for African Americans. High blood pressure, obesity, cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, and diabetes drastically increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The warning signs of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination and or severe headache.

In the past, doctors couldn't do much to help stroke victims. Now stroke doesn't have to lead to disability or death. The key is to recognize a stroke and get to the hospital immediately. The clot-dissolving drug tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) can reduce long-term disability if it's given within three hours after an ischemic stroke starts. (Ischemic strokes are caused by clots and are by far the most common type of stroke.)

Unfortunately, tPA isn't used as often as it could be because many people don't seek care quickly. If you or someone near you have the warning signs of a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.

For more information, schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist or go to:

www.americanheart.org

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers-the systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). The measurement is written with the systolic number on top and the diastolic number on the bottom. For example, a blood pressure measurement of 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) is expressed verbally as "120 over 80." Normal blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic. A consistent blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure.

High blood pressure increases your chance (or risk) for getting heart disease and/or kidney disease, and for having a stroke. It is especially dangerous because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. Regardless of race, age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure. It is estimated that one in every four American adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. You can take steps to prevent high blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle. These steps include maintaining a healthy weight; being physically active; following a healthy eating plan, that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and lowfat dairy foods; choosing and preparing foods with less salt and sodium; and, if you drink alcoholic beverages, drinking in moderation.

For more information go to:

Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure

June

The purpose of Men's Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men's health is truly a family issue.

Too often, diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and prostate cancer claim the lives of men across the country. To find out more about when you should get a check up and what should be checked, visit:

Health Checklist

Everyone's skin and eyes can be damaged by the sun and other UV rays. Although people with light skin are more likely to have sun damage, darker-skinned people, including African Americans and Hispanic Americans, also can be affected.

People with darker skin may tan more easily than others. But tanning is a form of skin damage. Tanning occurs when UV radiation is absorbed by the skin, causing an increase in the activity and number of melanocytes, the cells that make the pigment melanin. Melanin helps to block out damaging rays up to a point, which is why darker-skinned people burn less easily.

Those with lighter skin are more likely to burn. Sunburns are thought to increase your risk of skin cancer, especially melanoma. But UV exposure can raise skin cancer risk even without causing sunburn.

For more information about the effects of the sun, visit:

Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

July

Melanoma is the most serious and most common form of skin cancer. African Americans can develop melanoma or skin cancer and are also more likely to die from it because they usually get an aggressive form of the disease. Black or brown discoloration under the nails or on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands or in the mouth may be a sign of melanoma. African Americans don't realize they can get skin cancer which is one reason for low survival rates.

It is diagnosed far more often in whites than in African-Americans. A study reported in the Journal of Surgical Oncology (Vol. 78, No. 1: 10 - 16) showed that when African Americans develop the disease, it's deadlier with a 45% survival rate at five years compared to 69% in whites. Always protect skin with sun screen.

In addition, eyes should also be protected from the sun's harmful ultra violet (UV) rays. Studies reveal prolonged exposure to the sun can increase the risk of developing cataracts and other eye ailments. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends citizens wear sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats when outdoors in bright sunlight.

Melanoma Deadlier in Blacks

August

There are more than 83,000 persons on the national transplant waiting list and approximately 50% represent minorities. Minority donors account for about 25% of the available donor pool. Diabetes, high blood pressure, alcohol and substance abuse, poor nutrition and lack of exercise are all behaviors that could lead to the need for organ transplantation.

It is important for members of all ethnic and racial groups to become organ donors. Transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic and racial group. In some instances many organ transplants may not occur because family members and friends have not been made aware a donors wishes. It is important that families openly discuss the Gift of Life.

For more information please visit one of the Organ Donation Program Sites at:

Organ Donation Helpline