This series on health disparities in the Pittsburgh region is the result of collaboration between the New Pittsburgh Courier, Community PARTners, a core service of the University of Pittsburgh’s Clinical and Translational Institute and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. Pitt assistant professors Michael Yonas, DrPH, and Jessica Griffin Burke, PhD, and professor Ronald D. Stall, PhD, co-direct Community PARTners with Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League. Dr. Yonas recently sat down to speak with Ms. Bush about the partnership.

CTSI PARTICIPATES?IN?BRADDOCK COMMUNITY DAY (SUMMER 2011)

MY: Why is “Take charge of your health today. Be informed. Be involved.” important to you?

Pittsburgh is known as the Most Livable City, but what many do not know; it is also considered a top Hot Spot. Not for vacation destinations, but for hypertension. A recent analysis conducted by Sperling’s BestPlaces, an independent research firm, in partnership with Takeda Pharmaceuticals North American Inc., found Pittsburgh to have the sixth highest rate of hypertension and hypertension risk factors in the country for Hypertension Hot Spots.

BLOOD PRESSURE TESTING

Hypertension, or high blood pressure as it is commonly known, is a condition of elevated blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. It is the second leading preventing risk factor for death in the United States and like many other diseases, hits African-Americans the hardest. It is also considered a silent killer, because it virtually has no exact symptoms. If untreated it can lead to serious problems, such as heart or kidney disease, stroke, congestive heart failure or even death.

(ARA)—Diabetes is a serious disease that affects nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States. Early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.

This year, T-fal has joined the American Diabetes Association’s Stop Diabetes movement to educate and teach consumers about healthful eating. By following the simple steps below, families can better understand their risk and take the necessary steps to help combat this disease.

by Sandy Cohen

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Despite all the “Biggest Loser”-type shows on TV, all the pounds shed by their contestants and all the weight-loss products purchased by viewers, America continues to be the Biggest Gainer.

At least 10 weight-loss shows are airing these days, and on “The Biggest Loser” alone, this season’s three top finalists dropped a combined 365 pounds. Yet the rest of us are just getting chubbier, with obesity rates in the United States now the highest of any industrialized nation. In fact, more people are obese today than when “Loser” premiered in 2004.

So why aren’t these reality shows helping in the fat fight?