Initiative to Enhance Heart Health for Seniors
Free Cardiovascular Screenings Will be Provided to More than 1,000 Congregants of Area Churches

Jacksonville, Florida, November 29, 2010 -- Residents age 55 and older of some of Northeast Florida's most vulnerable communities are receiving the gift of better health this holiday season through "Enhancing Heart Health for Seniors," a partnership of Baptist Health, Baptist Health Foundation, the Aetna Foundation and several area faith-based organizations.

The Aetna Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to Baptist Health Foundation for cardiovascular health screenings and health information for more then 1,000 people ages 55 and older in an area of Jacksonville particularly hard-hit by heart disease. The programs will be coordinated with Baptist Health's congregational health partners located within or near the New Town Success Zone, an area of Jacksonville's urban core that is one of the most economically and health-challenged. Baptist Health is one of several organizations collaborating to improve the health, economics and education of the residents of New Town.

"Baptist's Community Health Department conducted a health needs assessment in congregations of New Town earlier this year to see how we might assist them, and these assessments confirmed the need for a heart health program," said Lynn Sherman, director of Community Health for Baptist Health.

Community Health developed the series of Lunch and Learn events in partnership with the health committees of 12 area congregations, Sherman said. The first Lunch and Learn is set for Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at Northside Church of Christ, 4736 Avenue B, Jacksonville, FL, 32209. The media is invited to attend and learn more about the initiative. Screenings start at 10 am and continue after lunch, which starts at 11:45 am.

"I believe the heart health screening and education will be good for the members of our church, because we have so many elderly people who cannot afford to go to the doctor and are not aware of the condition of their heart or their blood pressure," said Brother Charlie McClendon, minister of Northside Church of Christ. "This will be a great start to helping them get the care they need, thanks to Baptist and Aetna. The health ministry with Baptist has been great for all of our members to learn what they need to do take care of their health." "Philanthropic gifts significantly enhance Baptist's ability to reach beyond our hospital walls and provide health care services in the community," said Marlene Spalten, vice president, Baptist Health, and executive director, Baptist Health Foundation. "We are so pleased to partner with the Aetna Foundation in assisting seniors in our community better understand their heart health."

Aetna has a long tradition of giving and community support that crystallized in 1972, when the Aetna Foundation was established. Over the years, the Aetna Foundation has strengthened disease prevention programs, helped revitalize neighborhoods, supported the arts, provided aid to those in need, and listened to the diverse voices that shape our nation. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed more than $379 million in grants and sponsorships.

"Aetna is proud to support the efforts of Baptist Health and the Baptist Health Foundation to educate older people in North Florida about the risk factors surrounding heart disease," said Mark LaBorde, president of Aetna's North Florida operations. "Even though heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, many people are not aware that they are living with it every day. By screening people for risk factors and giving them valuable information about heart disease, Baptist is working to reduce this threat."