Women’s Health Equity and Empowerment Symposium at St

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV) – The Archway (MO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated hosted the “Links to Healthy Living” health equity and women’s empowerment symposium on Saturday.

Discussions on kidney, breast and heart health were some of the main topics of the event.

The Links, Incorporated focuses on friendship and service to the community.

Chapter chair Lauren Ming said hosting the symposium will help address health disparities.

“In many health conditions, we see that African Americans suffer more than the white population,” Ming said. “Today’s event is an attempt to save lives.”

Cardiovascular disease kills more than 50,000 black women each year, Ming said, and stroke is the leading cause of death for black women.

The Links, Incorporated reports that black women are 41% more likely than white women to die from breast cancer, and African Americans account for 35% of people with kidney failure.

This disparity can be socioeconomic, meaning access to health care can be limited, Ming said.

“Your health is your wealth, so it’s important to take care of your health,” Ming said.

To bridge this gap, free shows were offered to every participant.

Health screenings included blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and BMI assessments based on age, height, and weight.

“People will check their blood pressure, BMI, and other information, and they’ll have a little consultation with a health professional to help them understand if they’re at risk, and if they’re at risk, what can they do?” Ming said. . “In many cases, our community does not have easy access to this information.”

People took advantage of the free show.

Tracy Goffe was one of them and said that she always tries to maintain her health.

“Historically, our relationship with the medical community hasn’t been as transparent and upstanding as it probably should have been, so some of us may be putting off getting those annual physicals,” Goffe said.

Goffe encourages others to do the same and get tested.

“Our community as a whole will benefit if they take these lessons back to their friends and family,” Goffe said. “Everyone will benefit.”

The Links, Incorporated hosts similar events across the country to help improve health outcomes for Black families.

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