Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, killing 299,578 women in 2017—or about 1 in every 5 female deaths.
According to the CDC, not only is heart disease the leading cause of death for African American and white women, among American Indian and Alaska Native women, heart disease and cancer cause roughly the same number of deaths each year.
For Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander women, heart disease is second only to cancer as a cause of death.
2004 Women of Color STEM Community Service Award winner Candi Castleberry recently called for companies to take prompt action on erasing health disparities and racial inequalities.
Castleberry, currently Vice President of Intersectionality, Culture, & Diversity for Twitter, is reportedly a longtime volunteer for Go Red for Women, the American Heart Association’s (AHA) signature initiative to support heart-health awareness, education and research to improve the lives of women.
“The AHA intentionally ensures that women of color are a part of who they are and not just a photo in a brochure,” she told Go Red for Women recently. “There’s still more work to do, but I’m pleased by how much progress they’ve made over the years and how committed they are to diversity and inclusion.”
“Our family never talked about heart disease until my grandmother had multiple strokes and died from a stroke when I was 16,” she said. “She was my best friend, and to see her in the hospital after a stroke is something you never forget.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Castleberry has been working from home and “actively trying to manage the stress by meditating, exercising with others on Zoom and reading as much as she can about healthy living habits.
“I have to say, I've learned a lot from the American Heart Association website, which has a million things to help you.”
In line with their mission, the Women of Color STEM Conference will bring education and resources to their audience in light of the recent global health. Click here for more information.
