Newsletter Feature - PA

Regularly, the Heart Association partners with Jefferson University and their JeffSTARS program. This program highlights young physicians and leaders in medicine who learn about the intersection of advocacy and medicine. Recently, Lakshmi Narayanam, took part in this program. Here is her story. 

Earlier this month, advocates from across the state came together to advocate for heart health and the issues they care most about.

A group of You’re the Cure advocates, coalition partners, and more joined the Association’s Virtual Advocacy Day – an annual event we started 3 years ago. This year our focus is on Stroke Registry.

Mark your calendar now and plan to join us February 8th for our Pennsylvania Advocacy Day. Once again we will be gathering virtually to bring our voices together to speak up for building, longer healthier lives in Pennsylvania. 

“Doubt is our Product” is a quote from a former tobacco executive in 1969. Tobacco companies have tried to sew doubt into the minds of Americans for decades. They want you to doubt that their products are harmful to your health. They want you to ignore that the World Health Organization says smokers are likely more vulnerable to severe and potentially life-threatening cases of COVID-19. They want you to forget that they have a history of marketing flavored tobacco, including menthol to communities of color.

Advocacy is a vital part of what impacts health professionals and their patients. Through the JeffSTARS program, we have many future physicians who learn how advocacy impacts the work they do and what their patients will see. Recently, Lily Segal was a part of our program and she reflected on the impact it had on her and the work she will do as a doctor.

Pennsylvania legislative session is in full swing and we are working hard to get some critical legislation and funding passed to support heart health! Here are some highlights.

Water plays an important role in maintaining overall health. Drinking water supports muscles, joints, and tissues; improves the digestive system; and keeps bodies hydrated. This is vital to the well being of children and their growth. Drinking water helps with learning as well. If a child is well hydrated, they can see better results in their efforts in school. Staying well hydrated helps improve short-term memory, fine motor skills, and visual attention – all things that help the success of kids in the classroom and beyond.  But- how kids hydrate also matters.

As you may have heard, American Heart Association in Philadelphia is proud to be working with participants of the JeffSTARS program through Thomas Jefferson University Medical School. Through this program future physician, Katherine McLeod, learned about advocacy and how it can impact the work she will do with patients and the community throughout her career. 

This is her story.