At A Glance
As of September 2015, 1,500 members of 3 Korean churches in New York and New Jersey have access to healthier church meals. The faith-based organizations introduced changes to help combat high blood pressure among Korean Americans. Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York (KCS) educated church leaders, kitchen staff, and other church members about healthy eating and high blood pressure through workshops, tasting events, and other resources. The work was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Public Health Challenge
About 1 in 5 Korean American adults have high blood pressure, a dangerous condition that increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and other serious health issues. Few people know when this “silent killer” is a threat, though, because high blood pressure often has no warning signs or symptoms. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Asian Americans are less likely to be aware of high blood pressure or have their cholesterol levels checked than most Americans. A diet rich in vegetables and low in sodium can help prevent or treat the condition. However, changing individual behaviors and eating healthy foods can be difficult if healthy options are not available in the communities where people live, work, play, and worship. KCS and the New York University Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH) partnered to address this challenge.
Find Out More
According to CDC, more than 19,000 deaths among Asian Americans in 2013 were due to major heart disease, of which high blood pressure is a leading risk factor. Faith-based organizations can help combat this “silent killer” by connecting members to heart-healthy choices. To learn more, check out 100 Congregations for Million Hearts at http://millionhearts.hhs.gov. CSAAH also provides access to culturally-tailored health information at http://www.med.nyu.edu/asian-health/research/reachfar.
Our members are happy with tastier and healthier meals. I’m supportive and thankful the program is influencing health conditions among our church members.
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Pastor Young Chang Kim, Hyo Shin Bible Presbyterian Church of New York
What's Next
Moving forward, the coalition plans to reach an additional 39,000 Korean Americans by helping Korean supermarkets in New York and New Jersey implement healthy changes over the next 2 years. Strategies will include offering coupons for healthy foods; placing healthy products at eye-level and near the front of the store; and increasing the labeling and promotion of healthy foods. For example, KCS has already established partnerships with several local Korean supermarkets, including H&Y Mart—one of the biggest Korean supermarkets in New Jersey. Participating stores have started selling a discounted healthy multi-grain rice recipe that includes the KCS logo and slogan "Eat Healthy, Stay Young!" This project is supported by CDC’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) cooperative agreement.