Living Well February 2014

February 2014 Newsletter Mind, Body, Spirit Connection I am excited that we will be joining others across this nation who will be focusing on the ways we can make health and wellness a lived expression of our faith. We must do all we can to ensure that everyone in this nation has access to good health care and that we each make the best personal choices. –  REV. DR. FREDERICK D. HAYNES, Chairman SDPC & Sr. Pastor, Friendship West Baptist Church, Dallas, TX “ herefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies T as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” –  Romans 12:1 (NIV) T he three leading causes of death of African Americans are heart disease, hypertension and stroke. African Americans have the highest mortality rate of any racial and ethnic group for all cancers combined, including stomach, liver, prostate, and colon cancers. African American women are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer, and African Americans have the highest mortality rate but especially the poor. States with some of the most impoverished urban cities, have rejected what they have tagged “Obamacare.” “The economic argument is completely overwhelming for the big cities,” says Anne Dunkelberg of the Center for Public Policy Priorities in Texas. “They’re paying 100 percent local tax dollars instead of getting 100 percent federal funding.” By their political might, they are The ability to manage our health and wellness is preventing expanded opportunity for health and dependent upon access to quality healthcare, along wellness services to millions of African Americans. with understanding that our conscious choices matter! That is why the Affordable Care Act So we will press on and continue the struggle, (ACA) is so important to the African American demanding justice and equality, equal access to health care and greater attention to our wellness of community. mind, body and spirit. Through the ACA, nearly 7 million uninsured African American individuals and families will God’s gift to us is life. Our gift back to God is have new opportunities for affordable health what we do with it. Let’s create a faith driven insurance coverage and opportunities for greater movement to Live Well, as God would have control over their overall health and wellness. us to do. Let’s take this journey together, one Nearly half of these uninsured are young adults day at a time. between the ages of 18 to 35 who have been locked out of preventive and quality health care services. 86 million Additionally, the elderly, disabled, and children In 2011, provisions in the Affordable Care Act helped will now have access to prevention and treatment approximately 86 million services, of which many have no cost sharing. people access free preventive While all will benefit from the ACA, let us be reminded of what Frederick Douglas said, “justice does not come without a struggle and demand.” Twenty-five Republican-controlled states have announced that they will not participate in the ACA, which was designed to help all of America services like annual wellness exams, cancer screenings, and flu shots www.whitehouse.gov Is your state participating? To see the map – www.sdpconference.info/livingwell You’re Committed to Healthier Communities. So are we.