Screen and Stage Legend Phylicia Rashad in St. Louis To Urge Residents To Seek Treatment To Protect Themselves from Future Heart Attack or Stroke
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The P.A.D. "Hot Spots" rankings are based on research conducted by theNational Minority Quality Forum. The study population included participantsthat completed the standardized health examination in a mobile exam center(MEC) for the Fourth National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NHANESIV, a cross-sectional survey that provides national estimates of diseaseprevalence. "P.A.D: Make the Connection" is an educational initiativesupported by the sanofi-aventis/Bristol-Myers Squibb partnership incollaboration with the P.A.D. Coalition.St. Louis Named #6 P.A.D. "Hot Spot" in First-Ever Ranking of Peripheral Artery Disease in the U.S. WHAT: September is P.A.D. Awareness Month and on Friday, September 26, Tony winner, recent 2008 Emmy nominee and one of America's best-loved TV moms, The Cosby Show's Phylicia Rashad, will be in St. Louis to share her personal experience with P.A.D. and the toll it has taken on her family. Eight of Rashad's family members, including her father and grandparents, died from stroke or heart attack -- which was believed to be associated with P.A.D. -- and her family members were not aware of the condition. P.A.D. affects about 8 million Americans and more than doubles their risk of heart attack and stroke. The "P.A.D: Make the Connection" disease awareness campaign, now targeting U.S. cities with the highest prevalence of the disease -- P.A.D. "Hot Spots" -- is based on research conducted by the National Minority Quality Forum. The "P.A.D: Make the Connection" campaign encourages St. Louis to learn more about P.A.D. symptoms and treatments on www.PADfacts.org. The site also includes the full listing of P.A.D. "Hot Spots" and screening events across the country. WHO: Phylicia Rashad, actor, Tony Award winner and recent 2008 Emmy nominee Dr. Catherine M. Wittgen, Associate Professor of Surgery, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Associate Program Director for General Surgery, and Program Director for Surgical Critical Care at Saint Louis University; Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri and Medical Director of Premier Home Health Care in St. Louis Both available for one-on-one interviews WHEN: Friday, September 26, 2008 WHY: P.A.D. is a chronic condition in which a person has poor circulation in the legs that is indicative of similar problems in the arteries leading to the heart and/or brain. People suffering from P.A.D. are at more than double the risk of heart attack or stroke and four times as likely to die from heart disease including heart attack or stroke. Many Americans are not aware of the disease, its risk factors and the importance of treatment. MEDIA CONTACTS: Sarah Smedley, (212) 229-8488; [email protected] Alice Sofield, (202) 609-6006; [email protected]
