EmblemHealth Hosts Online Discussion to Help New Yorkers Improve Heart Health

New York-NY - EmblemHealth, one of the largest nonprofit health insurers in the United States, organized an online discussion in honor of American Heart Month and Black History Month. The discussion was focused on maintaining a heart-healthy diet and identifying clinical risk factors to be aware of, particularly for Black individuals and those who are at higher risk of heart disease. The virtual discussion also covered available tools and resources to help maintain a healthy heart.

New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse and New York State Senator Leroy Comrie gave opening remarks to start the online seminar. The discussion was led by Stacy Scott-Wilds, Clinical Leader of Utilization Management at EmblemHealth, and involved several experts from different backgrounds, including Dr. Sandra Nurse, Senior Medical Director at AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY); Ruth Greenfield, Registered Dietitian at EmblemHealth; and Melinda Murray, Founder and President of the Dominic A. Murray 21 Memorial Foundation.

"Heart disease continues to be a pressing concern within our communities, disproportionately affecting Black people. As a nurse and advocate for health equity, I'm very aware of this disease's impact on individuals and families alike, particularly in traditionally underserved areas," said New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse (NYC District 46). "I thank EmblemHealth for recognizing that education and awareness are powerful tools in combatting heart disease. By equipping ourselves with knowledge, we empower our communities to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing."  

“There are multiple critical preventative measures that can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease, but we know that everyone doesn’t have equitable access to the resources, support, and education to equip themselves with that knowledge. That is why I am proud to have provided funding to support EmblemHealth in their Cambria Heights Neighborhood Care site in my district in Southeast Queens. The EmblemHealth team has created a special program where nutritional education and cooking demonstrations are provided for free to community members. In addition, my office has been partnering with EmblemHealth to host farmers' markets and food distributions, increasing access to healthy food in Southeast Queens, said New York State Senator Leroy Comrie (NYS District 14). “Thank you to EmblemHealth for all your efforts to keep our community healthy.”

Watch EmblemHealth’s Webinar on Nutrition & Heart Health below.