Sunday, November 4, 2007

February is Black History Month…

And while we will spend this month celebrating the contributions of so many African Americans who have made a difference in our lives, we at the American Lung Association also will take the time to reflect upon the health disparities affecting culturally and ethnically diverse communities.
Lung disease discriminates. AIDS is the leading cause of death in African American women aged 25 – 34. An African American baby is close to 3 times more likely to die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome than a white infant. And just this week, a study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine that found that African Americans who smoke up to a pack of cigarettes per day are more likely to develop lung cancer than whites who smoke similar amounts. Click here for an article on this study.
If you or someone you know is living with lung disease, or if you suspect that you might have a lung disease, please visit your doctor today. During Black History Month let’s make the commitment to our friends, acquaintances and loved ones to protect our lungs and promote the importance of a lung-healthy lifestyle.
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