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Kaiser Permanente Tackles Health Disparities With Launch of the African American Family Health Project

Posted on: Friday, 28 January 2005, 21:00 CST

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente today launched the African American Family Health Project. The multi-faceted project focuses on African American health concerns, preventive health strategies, and encourages African Americans to take charge of their health. Timed to coincide with February's National Black History Month, the project will include the broadcast of "Caring for Your Family's Health: A Guide for African Americans," a 28-minute program in five major media markets: Washington, D.C., Atlanta, San Francisco, Baltimore, and Cleveland. A companion guidebook, available to the public, further encourages consumers to take charge of their health by providing useful health information, charts that individuals may fill out with their own health data, and can use in developing relationships with their physicians.

The project was produced in partnership with the American Academy of Family Practice Physicians and the Institute of Church Administration and Management (formerly known as the Congress of National Black Churches). Over the next few years, Kaiser Permanente will work with its two partners in the project to distribute the materials to African American church leaders and physicians to help empower the community to act as its own best health advocate.

"Producing this video and guidebook is only the first of many initiatives that Kaiser Permanente is spearheading to promote greater and equal health for people of all colors and backgrounds," said Bernard Tyson, senior vice president of Brand Strategy & Management. "There needs to be a fundamental retooling of the health care industry," he added. "We want to lead the way as we work to eliminate health disparities. The first step is to empower every individual."

"Kaiser Permanente wants to raise awareness within the African American community of its heightened risk for certain chronic illnesses," added Ron Copeland, MD, medical director for the Permanente Medical Group of Ohio. "Lifestyle choices and regular physician visits can make a significant difference in health outcomes. Working together we can make significant improvements in the health of this country."

Two vital concepts are stressed:

-- "Know your history" -- investigate what medical conditions exist in

your family.

-- "Know your numbers" -- learn what is healthy blood pressure,

cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI) -- and then what

your personal "numbers" are in each category.

In addition, high blood pressure, diabetes, managing high cholesterol, and heart disease are highlighted. Weight management is another important topic area. Individuals are encouraged to adopt portion control, make healthy food choices (including consuming less salt), and find time for regular exercise.

"We know African Americans have a higher burden of disease and health problems such as obesity, diabetes, heart failure, and stroke compared to other ethnicities," said Adrienne D. Mims, M.D., who heads Prevention and Health Promotion for Kaiser Permanente's Georgia region as part of this project. "That makes it more important for African Americans to be screened. We can find these health problems early, treat them at a stage before they cause damage, and significantly improve people's health."

Keeping food journals to track daily calorie intake is encouraged. The importance of annual checkups and regular screenings for prostate and breast cancer are stressed for African Americans. The video and guidebook also touch on mental health issues, highlighting the importance of heeding depression warning signs.

The television broadcast of "Caring for Your Family's Health: A Guide for African Americans" will take place on the following dates:

San Francisco Sunday, February 6th, 3:30 p.m. KGO-TV (ABC)

Washington DC Saturday, February 12th, Noon WJLA-TV (ABC)

Cleveland Saturday, February 12th, 1 p.m. WKYC-TV (NBC)

Atlanta Saturday, February 19th, Noon WGCL-TV (CBS)

Baltimore Saturday, February 19th, 12:30 p.m. WMAR-TV (ABC)

In addition, the companion guidebook can be downloaded at http://www.kaiserpermanente.org/ in February.

Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated health plan. Founded in 1945, it is a not-for-profit, group practice prepayment program with headquarters in Oakland, Calif. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of about 8.2 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Today it encompasses the not-for-profit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the for-profit Permanente Medical Groups. Nationwide, Kaiser Permanente includes approximately 136,000 technical, administrative and clerical employees and over 11,000 physicians representing all specialties.

http://www.kaiserpermanente.org/

Kaiser Permanente

CONTACT: Beverly Hayon of Kaiser Permanente, +1-510-271-6437, orBeverly.Hayon@kp.org

Web site: http://www.kaiserpermanente.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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