Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

Month: May 2018

  • Media report March April 2018

  • Take charge of your health today. Be informed. Be involved. …Hypertension

    By: Esther Bush, for New Pittsburgh Courier

    This month, the “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on hypertension. Erricka Hager, health advocate at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, spoke about this topic.

    EB: Good morning, Erricka. Although hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a health topic that we’ve covered before, I’m eager to learn if researchers have made progress in understanding more about this chronic disease. I’m glad we’re taking the time today to discuss hypertension research.

    EH: Yes. This month’s page is filled with beneficial information about how our behaviors and lifestyle choices affect our blood pressure. We even feature a research study that is examining the relationship between physical activity at work and elevated blood pressures. Not only can this study benefit the communities we serve but also improve the health of our Urban League staff as well. I’m also excited to discuss hypertension because, not only does it affect my loved ones, but it greatly affects the communities we serve. The American Heart Association has updated the recommendations for healthy blood pressure, which is now 120/80 mmHg or less. This means that more African Americans are now considered to have high blood pressure. We know that hypertension greatly affects African American communities. However, researchers are still unsure why it affects our communities more than others. Dr. Amber Johnson talks about this, including how researchers are even trying to understanding why certain treatments may be different.

    EH: Yes. This month’s page is filled with beneficial information about how our behaviors and lifestyle choices affect our blood pressure. We even feature a research study that is examining the relationship between physical activity at work and elevated blood pressures. Not only can this study benefit the communities we serve but also improve the health of our Urban League staff as well. I’m also excited to discuss hypertension because, not only does it affect my loved ones, but it greatly affects the communities we serve. The American Heart Association has updated the recommendations for healthy blood pressure, which is now 120/80 mmHg or less. This means that more African Americans are now considered to have high blood pressure. We know that hypertension greatly affects African American communities. However, researchers are still unsure why it affects our communities more than others. Dr. Amber Johnson talks about this, including how researchers are even trying to understanding why certain treatments may be different.

     

    EB: That’s correct, Erricka. The communities we serve might not always know exactly where to get information or even feel comfortable talking to their doctors about their hypertension. It’s difficult for both staff and community members to keep up with not only the medical advances related to hypertension but other chronic diseases affecting African Americans. That’s why is important for us to continue to have these conversations about research and health to continue to educate and empower the African American community. In his overview, Dr. Evan Ray provides some really easy-to-understand information about blood pressure and how to prevent and control it. Getting more active and eating healthy are effective ways that African Americans can have a positive impact on lowering blood pressure.

    EH: I agree. This conversation couldn’t have happened at a better time because we, at the Urban League, are currently challenging our staff to get more active during the workday. We even invited a local chef to come and talk with the staff about the benefits of eating healthy. Also, the RESET-BP research study you mentioned is a perfect opportunity for our staff members to take charge of their health. Staff and Courier readers are encouraged to utilize the resources our free Health Education Office to not only have their blood pressure checked but get information about changing their diet and ways to get active. We now even have a blood pressure machine in our building. Knowing and monitoring your blood pressure numbers are important.

    EB: I second that! Thanks for having this chat with me, Erricka. We’ve provided some great information and ways that readers can take charge of their healthy today. I look forward to chatting with you next month as we discuss the All of Us Pennsylvania Research Program and precision medicine.

  • Pittsburgh highlighted in Urban League’s ‘State of Black America’

    Homestead Borough, an underpopulated and chronically underserved community located near the city of Pittsburgh, has had its share of hard times. And for many students at Propel Andrew Street High School, whose challenges span the spectrum from poor attendance to failing grades, the road to academic success often feels like a dead end. In response, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh created the Digital Connectors/Project Ready STEAM (DC/PR STEAM) program.

    The initiative, which introduces students to careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), has since become a source of hope and progress for many of them, including “Shea Matthews.” Shea was at risk of failing a science class and was strongly encouraged to attend our program. Reluctant to participate at first, her interest was soon piqued when she realized she could earn extra credit that would help her improve her grades in her current classes. Beyond school credit, obligation soon transformed into genuine interest. STEAM Program Manager Jane Lee described Shea’s joy “when she could do experiments that caused things to react and blow up,” explaining that, “the statement became our running joke, and I would tell her, ‘we are not blowing up anything today, but we are going to have fun!’” Although Shea worked at an after school job, she would often rearrange her schedule to attend DC/PR STEAM. With the extra credit she earned, Shea not only passed her science class, but raised her final average by one letter grade.

    The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh also hosts two outside-of-school programs to expose African American students to science, technology, engineering and math endeavors, working to increase their interest in STEAM. These programs broaden previously limited horizons for this underrepresented and disadvantaged population, by incorporating goal-setting behaviors that aim to improve academic outcomes, and ultimately, lead to satisfying and sustainable employment.

    Now in her junior year, Shea has taken a newfound interest in the field of science and is open to learning more about potential STEAM careers. Programs like DC/PR STEAM empower students to take personal responsibility for their academic achievement, significantly increasing their chances of professional success in the future. For too many students like Shea, the road to academic success can often be as difficult as the neighborhoods where they reside. DC/PR STEAM is evidence that where there is a will, and appropriate social and academic support services, the road to success is only steps away.

    Link to article in New Pittsburgh Courier: https://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2018/05/13/pittsburgh-highlighted-in-urban-leagues-state-of-black-america/ 

    Link to article on State of Black America: State of Black America finds Blacks drastically underrepresented in tech industries

    View the State of Black America Report

     

  • Take charge of your health, Be informed. Be involved. … All of Us Pennsylvania

    By Esther L. Bush for New Pittsburgh Courier

    This month Dr. Steven Reis, associate vice chancellor for clinical research, Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh and the principal investigator of the All of Us Pennsylvania Research Program and Esther Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, discussed the impact this research program could have on the future of health and medicine.

    EB: Good morning Steve, it is a pleasure to take some time and talk with you this month. I have been learning about precision medicine for a year and a half now. I know that you and your team  have been working hard to spread awareness about precision medicine and the All of Us Pennsylvania research program. Why is it important for you?

    SR: Aside from being a researcher, I am also a cardiologist. Part of my job is to prescribe medications. Imagine this: if everyone who is reading this article went to their healthcare provider today with high blood pressure that required treatment, it is likely that most of us would leave with a prescription for the same medication. Why is that? After all, we are all different so why aren’t we receiving personalized and precise  medical care? The answer is because there isn’t enough scientific data to enable individualized approaches to preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases.

    EB: Yes, I can follow that. So how does  All of Us Pennsylvania fit into changing that type of “one-size-fits-all” care?

    SR: I am very excited to announce that the National Institutes of Health All of Us research study, known locally at Pitt as All of Us Pennsylvania, officially opened national enrollment this past Sunday, May 6th. All of Us will be the largest study in the United States. It will enroll one million people nationally. We aim to enroll 120,000 participants here in Pennsylvania. The goal is to create a large database that includes information about people’s lifestyles, environment, occupational history, medical history and biological makeup. It’s about big data that will lead to scientific discoveries to make disease prevention and treatment more precise and individualized. The University of Pittsburgh is playing a major role in this landmark study. As of last week we have enrolled more than 5,000 people. Nationally, there are over 27,000 individuals who are currently participating in the study.

    EB: What an amazing accomplishment! We have been working together for over 10 years now Steve, and because of the Heart Score Study, I have known you even longer. The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh is so proud to partner with CTSI and All of Us Pennsylvania. I can’t stress enough to everyone who I talk to and who is reading this column right now. Diversity in this research
    study is necessary. What is your team doing to make sure that study participants are diverse, and can truly refl ect all differences?

    SR: That is a great question, Esther, and one that comes up every time I talk about this program. Diversity means so many things. It can be ethnicity, race, health status, geography, lifestyle, neighborhood, sexual orientation, age… and the list could go on. Nationally, the NIH has a goal that 51% of the million people who will be enrolled fall into a category that has traditionally been underrepresented  in biomedical research. We want to meet people and work with organizations across our region to spread awareness about this program. It’s very important to include diverse individuals from our region so that  the results of this study will be relevant to all of us here in western Pennsylvania.

    EB: I like that. I know that the All of Us Pennsylvania engagement team has come  to the Urban League to talk to our staff and clientele about this opportunity, and that they will be out and about in the community throughout the summer. I am proud to support this effort.

    SR: Thank you Esther. I can’t overstate  the importance of Pitt being part of this study so that we can improve the health of our communities. And that includes all of our community and academic partners. We want everyone in our region to hear about this study, and determine if it is right for you. There is more information on this page and anyone can visit our website at www.joinallofuspa.org. Thank you for your time and your continued partnership. I firmly believe that this study is critically important to the health of both Pennsylvania and our nation.