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| “Shooting for Healthy BP” Featured at Howard University Hospital |
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CONTACT:
Washington, D.C., May 4, 2007 – Retired NBA legends Dominique Wilkins and Spencer Haywood visited Howard University Hospital (HUH) as part of the “Shooting For Healthy BP” campaign, a blood pressure awareness program launched in February by Novartis and the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) to educate people, particularly African Americans, who are disproportionately affected by high blood pressure, of the associated health risks of high blood pressure and motivate them to manage their condition. During the free
blood pressure screening event at HUH Wilkins and Haywood discussed
their high blood pressure stories on the eighth leg of the national
campaign to help inspire people to get their blood pressure controlled.
More than 300 people, including employees and area residents
participated, with nearly 200 having their blood pressure screened.
The NBA legends actively engaged and encouraged attendees, providing
autographed t-shirts and other memorabilia. According to recent American Heart Association estimates, more than 72 million people age 20 and older have high blood pressure, a national health crisis, and two-thirds do not have it under control, increasing their risk of complications. In fact, as many as 30 percent of all deaths in African American men and 20 percent of all deaths in African American women who have high blood pressure are thought to be linked to the condition. Although anyone is susceptible, African Americans have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure and a much greater risk of stroke, heart disease and kidney damage. Recent Centers for Disease Control statistics indicate that 37.9 percent of African Americans in the District of Columbia have been told by a health care professional that they have high blood pressure, compared to 13.5 percent of Caucasians. Dominique Wilkins, NBA Hall of Famer and legendary Atlanta Hawks forward has seen first-hand the devastating effects of high blood pressure. “For many years my mother didn’t take her high blood pressure seriously,” he said. “As a result, she suffered two strokes, which was a wake-up call for her to work to achieve her blood pressure goal. I know from my mother’s struggles to manage her high blood pressure that we need to work together to better manage it.” “Like a lot of other people, when I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, I denied it,” said Darryl Dawkins, former Philadelphia 76er and New Jersey Nets center, who is also part of the national campaign. “I just didn’t want to hear it. And maintaining a healthy diet and getting exercise was not enough to manage my condition. My doctor recommended that I take a medication to get me closer to goal. I tried other prescription treatments that did not work for me. My doctor prescribed a combination of two medicines in one pill to help me manage my high blood pressure. I’m proud to be teaming up with other NBA Legends to get the word out about the urgency of working toward managing high blood pressure.” For former New York
Knicks and Seattle Supersonics forward Spencer Haywood, the decision to
better manage his condition was the result of his own family’s struggles
with high blood pressure. A member of the 1968 gold medal U.S. Olympic
basketball team, Haywood’s family history caught up with him when he was
diagnosed.
Despite his significant family history of high blood pressure, Haywood says he was in denial and refused the possibility of having the condition himself. At the time, he believed that high blood pressure was a sign of weakness or frailty. Today, Haywood recognizes that high blood pressure is a common, but serious condition that needs to be treated by a health care professional. “Everyone should actively monitor and manage blood pressure levels, said Thomas Gaiter, M.D., chief medical officer, and associate dean, Clinical Services, HUH. “High blood pressure could evidence devastating effects such as heart attack, stroke and kidney damage. It is crucial for people to partner with their physicians to create a plan that takes into account diet, exercise and, if needed, medicine to maintain a healthier blood pressure goal. In recognition of May as National Blood Pressure Education Month and American Stroke Month, what better time to start?” “We are proud to partner with Novartis to help educate the public on the risks associated with high blood pressure,” said Len Elmore, president of the NBRPA. “The legends are committed to helping others, and Darryl, Dominique and Spencer are living examples of how high blood pressure can affect anyone, even athletes and their families. They represent the effort the legends are making to help educate and inform people of all ages about the importance of managing their health and well-being.” During the “Shooting for Healthy BP” campaign, Wilkins, Dawkins, and Haywood will reach 15 cities across the country. In addition, an online resource, www.ShootingForHealthyBP.com, is available, which includes valuable information about the symptoms and risks associated with the condition. About Howard University Hospital Over the course of its 145-year history of providing the finest primary, secondary and tertiary health care services, Howard University Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center, has become one of the most comprehensive health care facilities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best hospitals in the nation for heart, rheumatology and hormonal disorders, Howard University Hospital is acclaimed as well for gerontology, dentistry and pediatric care, and specializes in Sickle Cell Anemia and Allergy & Asthma, among other clinical areas. As a leading teaching hospital, Howard University Hospital conducts important research and provides education for future health care providers. For more information about Howard University Hospital, visit http://www.huhosp.org. About the NBRPA Founded in 1992 by NBA Legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson, the NBRPA is a non-profit Association comprised of former professional basketball players. Working in direct partnerships with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, the group’s mission is to promote basketball while assisting Members in building community relationships and fostering support for charitable activities; providing comprehensive health care coverage; offering the Dave DeBusschere NBRPA Scholarship Fund for members and their children; monitoring the pension plan; and creating revenue-earning opportunities. The NBRPA Board of Directors includes Legends Al Attles; Rick Barry; Junior Bridgeman; Fred Brown; Mark Eaton; Len Elmore; Tom Hoover; Maurice Lucas; Earl Monroe; Jeff Mullins; Tom “Satch” Sanders and Buck Williams. For more information about NBRPA, visit www.LegendsOfBasketball.com.
About Novartis Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, treat disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in both patented and generic pharmaceuticals. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and low-cost generics, human vaccines and leading self-medication OTC brands. In 2006, the Group's businesses achieved net sales of USD 37.0 billion and net income of USD 7.2 billion. Approximately USD 5.4 billion was invested in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 101,000 associates and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information about Novartis, visit http://www.novartis.com.
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