Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Holds Hula Hoop and Stairwell Challenge For Heart Health Awareness
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Holds Hula Hoop and Stairwell Challenge For Heart Health Awareness (Cook County, IL) — Today, 6th District Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller recognized CPR/AED Awareness Week with an event highlighting the importance of cardiovascular fitness at Swallow Cliff Woods. Attendees participated in hula hooping and a stair climbing challenge at Swallow Cliff to promote heart-healthy exercise, then were led in a demonstration of hands-only CPR.
“The number one cause of death here in Cook County is heart disease, and it’s been my mission since taking office to draw attention to the issue, and to help people make healthy choices and equip themselves with the tools they need to step in during emergency situations,” said Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller. “This event is always a fun way for us to bring attention to cardiovascular health and show the community that there are enjoyable and simple ways to take care of your heart.”
Commissioner Miller was joined at the event by hula hoop instructor Jakki Underwood, as well as two trainers from the Red Cross who led a CPR/AED demonstration, and a CPR training bus provided by 2nd City CPR and Safety Training. Having CPR initiated by a bystander when someone is suffering from cardiac arrest can almost double or triple the chances of survival. CPR/AED training is particularly important for African American and Latino individuals, who are 30-50% less likely to have bystander CPR performed when suffering from a cardiac event than white adults. Women are also less likely to receive bystander CPR because people fear accusations of inappropriate touching or injuring the person. Only 39% of women receive bystander CPR in public compared to 45% of men, who have a 23% higher chance of surviving a cardiac event than women.
Throughout her time in office, Commissioner Miller has made it a priority to use her background in the healthcare industry to educate residents on the risks of cardiovascular disease, how to prevent it, and how to improve outcomes of cardiac events through CPR training. Commissioner Miller helped implement in-person CPR and AED training and virtual CPR and AED training for Cook County employees, an initiative that won a 2022 National Association of Counties Achievement Award. To date, hundreds of employees, along with elected officials and department heads, have taken part in the training.
In 2022, Commissioner Miller released a report titled “Cardiovascular Health in the Southland,” which examined the impacts of location and race on cardiovascular disease survival and outcomes in suburban Cook County. The report found that overall, cardiovascular disease-related deaths occur more frequently in CCDPH’s South jurisdiction, which has a substantial Black population, compared to the Southwest jurisdiction, whose population is predominantly white. To increase access, Commissioner Miller’s office also made the report available in Spanish last year.
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller Holds Hula Hoop and Stairwell Challenge For Heart Health Awareness
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