In honor of American Heart Month and Black History Month, Konza Prairie Community Health Center is proud to launch the CDC Foundation’s “Live to the Beat” campaign and community ambassador program at our clinics and in the communities we serve.
Though COVID-19 has drawn much of our healthcare focus over the past few years, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Kansas and across the U.S. – and the rate of death is especially high among black adults.
“Live to the Beat” is a national effort to empower the community with heart-healthy information, tools, resources, and messages to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Konza dietitians, community health workers, healthcare providers, and “Live to the Beat” Community Ambassadors will share small-step solutions for moving more, eating better, quitting smoking, and addressing key risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.
“Everyone lives to their own beat,” said Konza Community Health Worker and “Live to the Beat” Community Ambassador Tonette Hammond. “We are here to help find what works for you and support you in your health journey.”
Lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke can start with just one small step. Konza registered dietitians can provide education on heart health, diabetes, weight management, and lifestyle change to patients and community members even if they do not have a Konza primary care provider.
To schedule an appointment, call 785-238-4711 ext. 7001 or email dietitian@kpchc.org.
Check out Live to the Beat on social media. See something that resonates with you? Share it!
Pulse Check – with My Fitness Pal Incentive
The Pulse Check is a great resource to share with your community network: friends, family, work colleagues, church members – whoever you share heart healthy messages with.
People can bring the experience up right on their phone and, if they take 8-10 minutes to complete one of the modules, they can get one year of MyFitnessPal Premium for FREE! This is an $80 value and it works even if you are already using the free version of MyFitnessPal.
Take Small Steps
Move More > Find simple ways to get active throughout the day – no push-ups involved (unless you really love push-ups).
Eat Healthy > Get tips for choosing heart healthy foods.
Control Blood Pressure > Learn what works to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
Manage Cholesterol > Learn how to keep your “bad” cholesterol numbers in check.
Manage Blood Sugar > Learn how high blood sugar affects your heart – and what you can do about it.
Work With A Doctor > Learn how to start the conversation with a healthcare provider about your heart health.
Stress Less > Who doesn’t want less stress? Get ideas for finding a little more calm in your day.
Quit Smoking > Find the help you need to quit for good.
Live to the Beat – with KevOnStage
This 7-episode video series features Kevin Fredericks, AKA “KevOnStage” as he interviews a number of experts including doctors, wellness professionals and everyday people. The videos cover topics like getting active, eating healthy, working with a doctor, managing stress, and understanding risk factors. Check out these episodes to learn what you can be doing to Live to the Beat!
Kev and cardiologist Dr. Merije Chukumerije discuss how heart disease impacts the Black community more significantly and the importance of working with a healthcare provider.
Episode 2 – Age is Just a Number
Cardiologist Dr. Merije Chukumerije is back to walk Kev through the results from his recent doctor’s visit, provides insight into what doctors are checking for, and tips on how to interpret your results.
Episode 3 – You Get it From Yo Mamma
Tara Robinson, CEO and Founder of Black Heart Association, and Dr. Anna Darby join Kev to discuss the importance of knowing your family health history. Tara shares her own personal story about her heart health journey. Dr. Darby provides insight on the questions and signs you should be looking for as you learn more about your family health history.
Episode 4 – Outta Sight, Outta Mind
Psychiatrist Dr. Donald Brown talks with Kev about how your stress and mental health connect to your physical health.
Kev is cookin’ something up with renowned chef and Emmy Award-nominated television host Marvin Woods. The two discuss simple tips for eating healthier on a budget and on a busy schedule. Plus, Chef prepares some tasty, heart-healthy dishes for Kev to sample.
Episode 6 – Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That
But really, who has the time? Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Dr. Cori Cooper joins Kev to talk about time management. Dr. Cooper provides tips on how to make more time in your daily life for live a healthier lifestyle.
Episode 7 – Finding Your Rhythm
Once you take a first step toward living healthier, how do you find your rhythm to make it stick? In the final episode, Kev connects with Vanessa Garrison and Morgan Dixon, founders of GirlTrek, the largest health movement for Black women in the country. Vanessa and Morgan provide tips for getting started with living healthier for life and for maintaining your rhythm.
Join the Movement
Are you ready to live your heart health journey out loud? Be a Live to the Beat Community Ambassador – join a network of trusted leaders, organizations, and businesses in the Black community to help empower more adults to live their healthiest lives. As a Live to the Beat Community Ambassador, you can help those in your community lower their risk for heart disease and stroke by sharing heart-healthy messages and resources.
Click Here to Be a Community Ambassador
These Live to the Beat Ambassadors are using their own social media network to share heart healthy messages:
Marshauna Sagesse – Duluth, GA
