Mayo Clinic and area community organizations have planned a range of events in February to honor and celebrate Black History Month. The monthlong commemoration is a way to recognize the many significant contributions of African Americans to the nation and Mayo Clinic.
Mayo Clinic is lighting the Plummer Building at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; Mayo Clinic Hospital in Arizona; and Mayo Clinic Hospital in Florida in red, yellow and green on Thursday, Feb. 1, in honor of Black History Month. Many Mayo Clinic Health System locations are also lighting their buildings red, yellow and green.
Throughout the month, Mayo Clinic News Network will feature articles focusing on health disparities. This includes Dr. LaPrincess Brewer discussing cardiovascular disease prevention in the African American community. Black Americans are significantly affected by heart disease, resulting in higher mortality rates compared to white Americans.
“African Americans, unfortunately, have the highest rates of uncontrolled hypertension in the world, which dramatically increases their risk for developing heart disease,” says Dr. Brewer.
Dr. Brewer will also discuss the relationship between diet and heart disease.
