Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke recognizes Laredo for Preventing and Controlling Heart Disease and Stroke
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jun 3, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Laredo, TX—The Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke has recognized Laredo, Texas for preventing and controlling heart disease and stroke and for their promotion of heart health. Laredo earned a GOLD recognition level for the 2010 Heart and Stroke Healthy City Assessment! The Council’s Texas Heart and Stroke Healthy City Recognition Program honors cities that advance recognized best practices for preventing and controlling heart disease and stroke.
The Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke coordinate a state-wide recognition program called the “Heart and Stroke Healthy City Program.” This program is based on proven interventions that have made a significant difference in increasing physical activity and better eating habits, as well as reducing tobacco use, and decreasing response time to heart attacks and strokes.
To achieve the Gold Level recognition, the City of Laredo Health Department collaborated with multiple organizations in our community to provide prevention programs, effective response systems and policies, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. These included School Districts, the Hospitals, Gateway Community Health Center, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Laredo Campus, Mercy Ministries, Texas Migrant Council, SCAN, Keep Laredo Beautiful, American Red Cross, Texas A&M Colonias Program, Laredo Community College, City of Laredo Health, Parks and Leisure and Fire (EMS) Departments.
Ten indicators are used to determine recognition as a Heart and Stroke Healthy City. Environmental indicators include offering physical activity areas, healthy eating options, defibrillators and CPR classes in the community. Policy indicators include smoke-free ordinances; an EMS system with priority response times to 911 calls for heart attacks or strokes and recognized guidelines for the care and treatment of heart attack and stroke in hospitals.
The mission of the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke is to educate, inform and facilitate action among Texans to reduce the human and financial toll of cardiovascular disease and stroke. “We know that rapid intervention with CPR and the use of external defibrillators reduce the risk of permanent heart diseases” said Dr. Hector F. Gonzalez, Director of health. The City of Laredo will receive the official plaque Thursday, June 2nd at 9 am at the City of Laredo Health Department, and will vow to continue striving for a healthier place to work, play and live!
Heart disease and stroke is the number one and number three leading causes of death in Texas and the United States. In Laredo, chronic ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death since 2008. The risk factors for heart disease and stroke, physical inactivity, poor eating habits, obesity, tobacco use, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes, are either maintaining current levels or increasing in both populations.
For more information about Laredo’s Gold Level recognition, please contact the City of Laredo Health Department at (956)795-4918.
