Three local health leaders were recognized for their leadership at the Health for Hearts United Leadership Institute, an annual event for local churches from Gadsden and Leon counties.
Awardees receiving Leadership Awards include Arrie Battle, Executive Director of Mother Care Network, Inc.; Roosevelt Rogers III, Senior Pastor of Old Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Havana; and Sterling Dupont, St. James AME Church in Quincy.
Each was recognized for service, commitment and leadership in developing and sustaining the Health for Hearts United Collaborative, comprised of over 45 churches that have trained health ministries to reduce risk of heart disease and strokes in their congregations and more broadly in the local communities.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among Americans. However, among certain populations— such as African Americans — there are higher rates compared to other groups.