Most African-Americans say they’d call 9-1-1 if stroke symptoms occurred —but few do, according to research reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

In a survey of 253 African-Americans in Washington, D.C., 89 percent said they’d call 9-1-1 at the first sign of a stroke. Yet, only 12 percent of 100 stroke patients surveyed in the predominantly Black District of Columbia called 9-1-1 right away when faced with symptoms.

Blacks are at greater risk for stroke and are more likely to die compared to Whites due to higher rates of risk factors such as high blood pressure and obesity.

A task force made up of human services consumers and advocates, representatives from human services pro­viders, representatives from state and local governments, educators, and members of the deaf and hard of hearing communities has updated its online resource guide, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Resource Guide of Behavioral Health Providers for Persons who are Deaf, Deafblind or Hard of Hearing.

This resource guide lists regional behavioral health care providers that have experience working with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Additionally, the guide can also benefit persons who are deafblind, physicians, audiologists, behavioral health care providers and the general public.

The resource guide is available for download on the Allegheny County Department of Human Services website at www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/guides.aspx#providers.

by Angela F. Ford

1st Commandment

Thou shall eat less fat than thy neighbor. Fat is the number one dietary factor in heart disease and cancer in the U.S. Eat more veggies Reggie! Don’t shop while hungry. Read food labels. Eat more foods with less salt and saturated fats and fewer calories.

by Brian D. Smedley

Many state governors and legislatures want to trim Medicaid and other public programs in an effort to balance budgets. But cutting Medicaid to the bone won’t reduce the demand for health care and it certainly won’t help people be healthy enough to contribute to an economic recovery.

Instead, policymakers should make smart investments to help people to stay healthy in the first place. How can government do this when resources are so limited?