Baltimore City
Health Department

Cardiovascular Disease and the Health Disparities Initiative (HDI)

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The Baltimore City Health Department's Health Disparities Inititiative (HDI) was initially launched to reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke and diabetes among Baltimore City minority residents through increased access to regular health information, cardiovascular screenings and referrals, and to address health inequities.

The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) released a report summarizing 55 neighborhood health profiles and showed CVD as a leading cause of death and a 20 year life-expectancy gap between neighborhoods.

Health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions or outcomes that exist among specific population groups in the United States. Health disparities can affect population groups based on gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geography, sexual orientation, disability or special health care needs. They can occur among groups who have persistently experienced historical trauma, social disadvantage or discrimination, and systematically experience worse health or greater health risks than more advantaged social groups.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), CVD is a disease of the heart and blood vessel which includes numerous problems, many of which are related to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries causing a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death and Stroke is the No. 3, claiming 2,000 lives each year in Baltimore City.

These Web pages are focused on educating the public about CVD and its associated conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Click on the top buttons to read more about some of these health issues.

Below are the 5 HDI strategies to help reduce cardiovascular disease and address health inequities:

  1. Disease Management by Community Health Workers (CHW). CHWs identify and screen high-risk individuals for coronary heart disease and diabetes through home visits and community outreach interventions.
    • Baltimore Medical Systems, Inc. (BMS) in partnership with BCHD will screen 500 high risk minorities for CVD and diabetes related conditions at 3 BMS clinics (Highlandtown, Orleans Square and Belair-Edison).
  2. Health Education through Faith Institutions. Implement nutrition, physical activity and health education targeting minority women associated with faith-based programs and community-based organizations.
  3. Barbershop Initiative. Screen minority men for high blood pressure and provide referrals to those at higher risk of CVD.
    • Under contract with BCHD, Manna House, Inc. will secure over 10 barbershop partnerships, through which CHWs will screen 2,000 minority men for hypertension and refer them to appropriate health care providers and social services.
  4. Salt Intake Reduction. A Salt Task Force comprised of healthcare experts and community representatives released a report outlining seven recommendations to encourage salt reduction in packaged and restaurant foods.
  5. Smoking Cessation & Tobacco Control. Smoking cessation programs are effective and critical to reducing illness and death related to heart disease and stroke.

Quick Facts about Heart Disease

  • 1 in every 4 deaths in Baltimore City is due to heart disease.
  • Heart disease claims 2,000 lives each year in Baltimore City and disables thousands more.
  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Baltimore City and United States of America.
  • Cardiovascular disease is a key contributor to racial gap of life expectancy. African Americans die 5.4 years sooner than Whites.
  • Heart disease is preventable.

Warning Signs

  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint
  • Shortness of breath
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your likelihood of developing heart disease include:

  • Smoking
  • Exposure to second-hand smoke
  • High blood pressure or cholesterol
  • Physical inactivity
  • Overweight or obesity
  • Family history of heart disease

Prevention Tips

  • Regular Doctor Visits. Heart disease is easier to treat when its detected early. Contact Baltimore Healthcare Access at 410-649-0500 for referrals or insurance information.
  • Know Your Numbers. Track your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight and keep them in a healthy range.
  • Exercise For 30 Minutes. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.
  • Eat a Healthy Diet. Eat a diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Resources

Additional Information

4/20/11. Check our Web calendar for more stroke-related events, health fairs, information sessions, fitness classes, and screenings for the month of May!

3/16/11. May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Churches city-wide will choose a Sunday that month to conduct Power Sunday, when they can speak about stroke and stroke prevention to their congregation. Download the flyer here (pdf).

Quick Facts about Stroke

  • Stroke is the No. 3 leading cause of death in Baltimore City and the U.S.A.
  • Stroke occurs when an artery that carries blood to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. This cuts off the brain's supply of oxygen, causing brain damage. Learn more about how strokes happen.
  • Stroke can be prevented.
  • You are more likely to survive a stroke if you know the signs and symptoms.
  • If you recognize any signs or symptoms of a stroke in someone, call 911 and get that person to the hospital immediately.
  • Learn more about how strokes happen.
  • stroke diagram
  • Stroke can be prevented.
  • Someone is more likely to survive a stroke if the signs and symptoms are recognized.
  • If you recognize any signs or symptoms of a stroke in someone, CALL 9-1-1 and get that person to the hospital immediately.

Warning Signs

You are more likely to survive a stroke if you can recognize its symptoms and act quickly. Symptoms include:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

When you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke, call 911 immediately and get to the hospital as soon as possible.

small u.s. map

Find your nearest stroke-certified hospital.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your likelihood of developing stroke include:

  • having high blood pressure or cholesterol
  • cigarette smoking or excessive alcohol use
  • having diabetes
  • being overweight/obese
  • having a family history of stroke

Prevention Tips

  • Control Your Blood Pressure. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so it is important to get checked by a doctor regularly.
  • Don't Smoke. Smoking increases your risk of stroke. If you don't smoke – don't start!
  • Eat a Healthy Diet. Eating healthy foods low in saturated fats, cholesterol, salt or sodium and high in fiber can help you avoid a stroke.
  • Maintain a Healthy Weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of stroke. Know your BMI to determine if you are in a healthy weight range.

Tuesday, March 22 is the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Alert Day. On this day, people are encouraged to get tested and know the risks for developing diabetes. Read more by downloading the Diabetes Alert Day background sheet (PDF). Also see what programs will be offered in Baltimore City by clicking here.

Quick Facts about Diabetes

  • 1 in every 10 Baltimoreans has diabetes.
  • Diabetes is a serious disease. It increases your risk of other severe complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and blindness.
  • Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar (glucose) is too high.
  • red strider
  • Types of Diabetes:
    • Type 1 Diabetes
      • Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes.
      • The body does not produce insulin.
      • Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
    • Type 2 Diabetes
      • Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
      • Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Many more are unaware they are at high risk.
      • More common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and the elderly.
    • Gestational Diabetes
      • Many women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy usually at 28 weeks or later.
      • Women can be diagnosed with gestational diabetes before they conceive and/or after giving birth.
      • Follow your doctor's recommendations regarding blood glucose levels while you're planning your pregnancy so you and your baby remain healthy.

pregnant woman

Warning Signs

  • Frequent urination
  • Unusual thirst
  • Extreme hunger
  • Blurred vision
  • Hand or feet numbness or tingling
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme fatigue or irritability
  • Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal
  • Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections

Risk Factors

Prevention Tips

  • Get tested for diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure and treat those problems.
  • Eat a Healthier Diet. A healthy diet includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and foods high in fiber and low in sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol. [CDC's Guide to Nutrition]
  • Be More Active. Learn more.
  • Maintain a Healthy Weight.Learn more.

Educational Resources

heart monitor

Read more about the Baltimore City Health Department's Health Disparities Initiative

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