It’s not what the team at Hennepin County Public Health considers a heartwarming fact.
In 2021, death rates from poor heart health were four times higher among Minnesota’s Indigenous residents and two times higher among Minnesota’s Black residents than they were among residents of other races.
“It’s our job to look at that and say, how do we come back from that and how do we right the wrongs of the past and move the needle in the right way,” said Abbie Zahler, health programs manager, Hennepin County Public Health Department.
As part of an ongoing mission to right the wrongs, Hennepin County has been using $1 million in funding each year since 2024 from the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners to address heart health disparities through its Women’s Heart Health Initiative, which specifically supports African American/Black and Indigenous women in Hennepin County.
The initiative was also born out of a personal story. “Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley has spoken publicly about having a heart attack in her 40s,” added Samantha Lucas-Pipkorn, community health supervisor, Hennepin County Public Health Department. Lucas-Pipkorn said Conley had jaw and neck pain for two days, not realizing she was suffering from a heart attack. Conley later spoke about the trauma of the event, her family's hidden history with heart disease, and the need for better medical outreach for Black and Indigenous women.
The Heart Health Initiative partners with local clinics, like NorthPoint and the Native American Community Clinic, to offer specialized care and cultural support groups for survivors. It also funds the "Your Heart Beats for Generations" media campaign to share real survival stories.
The program also partners with organizations like Dress for Success to provide resources and opportunities to vulnerable populations in Hennepin County. Messianic Care PLLC, a Minnesota-based mobile, grassroots healthcare organization, is another partner that brings culturally responsive care, health education, and preventative screenings to underserved communities.
Lucas-Pipkorn said the stories from women benefiting from the Heart Health Initiative are truly the lifeblood of the work. “There was a woman who spoke about having heart-related issues and was in the emergency room where she was told she would need to address her high blood pressure,” Lucas-Pipkorn recalled. The woman joined a group affiliated with the initiative to learn about her heart, her medical records, and various elements of her health. Before her follow-up visit, she wrote down all of her questions. She didn’t end up getting the answers she wanted, so she went to a different doctor. “So often women are taking care of everyone else, holding community, and they don’t have the space to say, ‘OK, I’m doing this for me,’” Lucas-Pipkorn said.
Education is a key component of the Hearth Health Initiative. “One of the most important things you can do is understand your risk factors,” said Zahler. “Another is to know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack so you can take quick action, which may save your life.” Those symptoms specific to women include squeezing or pressure in the chest, neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back, or abdominal discomfort, unusual fatigue, sweating, nausea, vomiting, or severe indigestion. Call 911 if you are experiencing these symptoms.
To learn more about the Heart Health Initiative from Hennepin County Public Health and to hear stories from Hennepin County leaders and community members, click here.
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