Close the Gap

Addressing disparities in the treatment of cardiovascular care

Did you know that:

• Every 38 seconds an American dies of heart disease?¹
• Heart disease is the #1 Killer in the United States?¹
• Heart disease causes more deaths in Americans of both genders and all racial and ethnic groups than any
  other disease?²

In 2006, a team of physicians and other health care professionals from across the United States came together through the Close the Gap initiative to identify opportunities and develop strategies to address disparities in cardiovascular care for the underserved patient populations of women, black Americans, and Hispanic/Latino Americans.

Learn whether you are at risk for heart disease, and if so, what you can do to lower your risk.

Close the Gap Teams with Gridiron Greats

Members of the National Football League (NFL) Alumni Association joined Close the Gap and American Heart Association (AHA) volunteers for an uplifting community outreach event in south Florida on January 31st. Pastor Arthur Jackson welcomed Close the Gap, AHA and the NFL Alumni to the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for a morning of praise, prayer and heart health education.

Members of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church talked with Close the Gap
and AHA volunteers to learn more about heart disease and stroke.

Close the Gap and Power to End Stroke informational booths just outside the church entrance offered parishioners the opportunity to talk one-on-one with heart health experts, pick up literature outlining risk factors that could lead to heart disease or stroke, and learn warning signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke.

Former New York Giants defensive star and current NFL Alumni Association Executive Director George Martin and incoming AHA President Dr. Ralph Sacco addressed the congregation, encouraging all in attendance to:

• Know Your Risk Factors
• Talk With Your Doctor
• Take Charge of Your Heart Health

George Martin's January 31 remarks at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

A second south Florida Close the Gap event took place on February 4th when Close the Gap Steering Committee Member Dr. Mark Jenkins spoke to members and guests at the Fritz Pollard Alliance Salute to Excellence reception. The Fritz Pollard Alliance is an affinity group of National Football League minority coaches, scouts and front office personnel. A Close the Gap informational booth gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about the Boston Scientific sponsored initiative.

Discussions about Disparities in Cardiovascular Care

The disparities are real and have been documented. Despite similar prevalence across racial/ethnic groups, women and people of color are treated at a lesser rate for cardiovascular disease than Caucasian men. And with the publication of several recent related studies, as well as the momentum of the Close the Gap educational initiative, disparities in care discussions have become more mainstream and more frequent.

While interest around cardiovascular treatment disparities is growing in the healthcare sector, the public sector is also taking note. Close the Gap continues to educate a variety of audiences about how race, ethnicity and gender can affect an individual’s potential for developing heart disease and for receiving appropriate treatment for the disease. Close the Gap team members and volunteers have been actively educating and engaging audiences from across the country, talking with leaders in the corporate, government, athletic, and faith-based communities.

Learn more about the Close the Gap educational initiative and check our Calendar of Events for upcoming events near you.