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.

MN Lynx Partner Again with Boston Scientific and Close the Gap

We are pleased to announce the ongoing partnership of Boston Scientific and Close the Gap with the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx. The goal for this program is to save lives by educating the community on heart disease, risk factors, and heart health tools for prevention; the program will focus on addressing heart-health issues in women and minorities throughout the Twin Cities community.

The Lynx will work with Close the Gap and community partners such as Camp Odayin, Women Heart, The Ken Rome Foundation, physician groups, and hospitals to join in the fight against the number one killer in America.

To expand partnerships outside the walls of the arena, the Lynx will partner with local minority groups, faith based organizations, and other corporate organizations. The Minnesota Lynx are uniquely positioned to help deliver this message and are committed to once again making Close the Gap their primary cause for the season.

Highlights of Close the Gap activities at the Lynx home games:

• Ask A Cardiologist – At the July 8th and July 22nd Lynx home games, the Lynx partnered with a physicians’ group to create the Boston Scientific “Ask a Cardiologist & Close the Gap” heart health station where doctors educated fans on heart disease, provided tips for improved heart health and educated women on risk factors.
• Faces of Heart – In July, the Lynx launched a campaign that featured the stories of people living with heart disease and survivors of sudden cardiac arrest.
• Choose to Move – In July the Choose to Move promotion encouraged fans to get up and dance, promoting being active and join the fight against heart disease by being active.
• Close the Gap Heart Health Tips – For each Lynx home game during the 2010 season, there will be a Health Tip of the Game promotion. Each public service announcement will feature a member of the Lynx team or coaching staff providing fans with facts about heart disease and a tip on how to improve heart health.
• Everyday Heroes – During August, The Lynx will select local community members who are dedicated to the fight against heart disease in the Twin Cities community. They will be recognized during each home game.
• Kids Clinic, Reading Timeout, and Book Giveaway Event – In August , the Lynx will host a basketball clinic for Minneapolis Public School children, featuring Lynx players and coaches. Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve will then hold a reading timeout, and each child will receive a book to take home.

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.