February is American Heart Month. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared it as such after suffering from multiple heart attacks.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. To help change that statistic, the Chicago Park District and Chicago Department of Public Health are hosting free heart health screenings next month in areas with health disparities.
Primary-level heart health assessments will consist of blood pressure screenings, resting heart rate readings, and a heart health questionnaire. Health care partners will also give participants tips and resources for good cardiovascular health.
The heart health screenings will take place in Garfield Park, North Lawndale, Englewood and Greater Grand Crossing – which are CDPH Priority Community Areas and communities with lower life expectancies.
According to the Chicago Health Atlas, life expectancy among Chicagoans is lowest in West Garfield Park, where people live to about 63 on average. The next lowest life expectancies in the city are 65 years in Englewood and 66 in North Lawndale. Life expectancy is 68 in Greater Grand Crossing, compared to the highest life expectancy of 88 in the Loop.
“We are committed to reducing health disparities and improving access to essential preventive care, especially in communities disproportionately affected by heart disease,” CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige said in a statement. “Together, we can empower Chicagoans to take proactive steps toward a healthier future.”
Below are the locations for screenings next month. They take place from 2:30 to 6 p.m. every Thursday in February:
- Feb. 6 at Homan Square Park, 3559 W. Arthington St.
- Feb. 13 at Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd St.
- Feb. 20 at Garfield Park Gold Dome, 100 N. Central Park Ave.
- Feb. 27 at Grand Crossing Park, 7655 S. Ingleside Ave.
- Feb. 27 at Amundsen Park, 6200 W. Bloomingdale Ave.
Park district representatives will be available at these times and locations to share information about fitness and other healthy activity options throughout its parks.
The heart health screenings are a part of the Chicago Park District’s “efforts to encourage residents to pursue their New Year resolutions and utilize parks as a resource to continue active, healthy living throughout the year,” according to a statement.
“We hope that, by raising awareness of cardiovascular health and elevating heart health education, we are connecting members of these targeted communities to essential resources that advance wellbeing, improve health outcomes and enhance quality of life,” said Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño in a statement.