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Wilmington, DE--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--September 19, 2006--AstraZeneca, in partnership with the National Latina Health Network, is holding Heart Healthy Day in eight U.S. cities on Saturday, September 23rd to mark National Cholesterol Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.
Heart Healthy Day will include FREE blood pressure and cholesterol screenings – both critical to maintaining a healthy heart – and an opportunity for participants to speak briefly with a bi-lingual health counselor, receive educational materials about cardiovascular risk factors and leave with personal information to take to their doctors. Participants will also receive a special Heart Healthy calling card to remind friends and family about the importance of eating well, exercising regularly and talking with their doctor about a plan for getting to their heart health goals. All materials will be available in English and Spanish.
This is the second multi-city Heart Healthy Day AstraZeneca and the National Latina Health Network have sponsored this year. The first was held in February. Heart Healthy Day is part of a national public service initiative sponsored by AstraZeneca to educate about the risks of elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease to help curb the rates of heart disease in the Hispanic community.
According to the American Heart Association, high cholesterol is a serious health concern for Hispanic adults. In addition, heart disease is the leading cause of death among Hispanics in the U.S., according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
“The positive response and incredible turnout to the first Heart Healthy Day proved us that screening efforts really make a difference in our communities. People want to learn more about their own cardiovascular risk factors as long as they’re presented with information in a comfortable, familiar setting by people and groups they trust,” said Elena Alvarado, President and CEO of National Latina Health Network, a nationwide health organization for Hispanic women and their families.
Heart Healthy Day activities are taking place in Miami, New York City, Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, San Antonio, Los Angeles and Boston with support from the Telemundo Network including week-long promotions featuring Mauricio Zeilic, host of “Cotorreando,” plus live, on-site coverage.
“High cholesterol is a very serious health issue among Hispanics—who are 36 percent less likely than Caucasians to have properly controlled cholesterol,” said Roberto Madrazo, Sr. Director Multicultural Marketing, at AstraZeneca. “We have studied cardiovascular risks in the Hispanic community and are committed to providing screenings and encouraging people to talk with their doctor about their heart health numbers.”
For more information about Heart Healthy Day, please call 1-800-640-5881.
About the National Latina Health Network (NLHN)
Established in 1997, the National Latina Health Network is a growing network of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the quality of health among Latinas and their families. It is a unique organization of health experts who are connected and active in community-based program development and policy and research. The NLHN provides innovative health programming to local and regional agencies. The NLHN brings together, and is committed to, strengthening and supporting a network of Latina leaders in public health.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international research based pharmaceutical company engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of ethical (prescription) pharmaceutical products. The company produces a wide range of products that make significant contributions to patient care and treatment options for cancer and gastrointestinal disorders, anesthesia (including pain management), cardiovascular disease, respiratory and neurological disorders. AstraZeneca PLC is headquartered in London with its U.S. headquarters located in Wilmington, Delaware. For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit http://www.astrazeneca-us.com
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