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?²
• Heart disease causes more deaths in Americans of both genders and all racial and ethnic groups than any
  other disease?³

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.

Go Red® for Women "Hearts for Fashion" Show

"Hearts for Fashion" is a free and family friendly extravaganza providing the thrill of a sophisticated fashion show, along with educational information on women and heart disease from the American Heart Association Twin Cities' chapter Go Red for Women campaign, Close the Gap, and WomenHeart.

Wear red to participate in Macy's Wear Red Day discounts.

Featuring:

• Macy’s retail fashions
• Heart disease survivors as models
• Mrs. Minnesota International as emcee
• Original student designs from the University of Minnesota and the Minneapolis Community and Technical College
• The Vikings Cheerleaders
• DJ Wicked
• and more!

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.