The month of February is rich in history as the country celebrates Black History Month as well as Heart Healthy Month! Here, I will try and enlighten you as well as recognize some of our history-makers in both black history and ways to have a healthy heart, not just in February but always!
This year, Morehouse School of Medicine, located right here in Atlanta, Georgia, is a private historically black medical school and is one of the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians. In 2025, they have launched a year-long celebration marking five decades of advancing health equity. They were founded in 1975 as a two-year medical education program. Morehouse School of Medicine opened its doors at a single trailer on the campus of Morehouse College in the summer of 1978 with an inaugural class of 24 students in its two-year basic medical sciences program. Students who completed the program earned the ability to transfer to four-year institutions to complete their education. The medical school was incorporated in Georgia in 1980, officially became an independent institution in 1981 and established a four-year medical school as Morehouse School of Medicine in 1985. There have been nearly 1,900 physicians who have graduated from MSM, with approximately 60% choosing to practice in Georgia. Morehouse School of Medicine is commemorating its 50-year history with many different events open to the public throughout 2025.
Heart disease as been (and still is) the No. 1 leading cause of death since 1950 in the United States, according to the CDC. Also according to the CDC, the age-adjusted heart disease deaths rates dropped to 161.5 per 100,000 population in 2019 compared to 182.8 age-adjust heart disease deaths per 100,000 population in 2009. From 2009 to 2019, the age-adjust heart disease death rates were higher for males than females.
Known Facts:
- Every year, about 805,000 people in the US have a heart attack.
- Someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the United States.
These are some pretty alarming statistics regarding cardiovascular disease, but 80% is preventable. At ALL ages, these are just some of the many ways you can prevent cardiovascular disease: Eating healthy, being physically active, avoiding tobacco and managing your cholesterol. Throughout the remainder of February, I will delve deeper into many ways to prevent cardiovascular disease as well as knowing some of the signs of cardiovascular disease.
You Empower Your Health! 