American Heart Association Launches New Campaign to Increase Bystander CPR Among Latino Millennials

National CPR & AED Awareness Week, June 1-7, aims to educate Americans about CPR and AED training in order to increase the chance of survival from cardiac arrest. Every year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital; only 10 percent of people survive. CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival if provided immediately.

 

The American Heart Association’s new video, produced by in conjunction with the Empire BlueCross BlueShield Foundation, showcases Hands-Only CPR, a two-step, easy-to-learn lifesaving technique and is targeted at Latino millennials, the youngest major racial or ethnic group in the United States. The video is online at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.

 

In the United States, Latinos and blacks are at a higher risk for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with a poor prognosis. Latinos specifically are 30 percent less likely to have bystander CPR performed on them in a cardiac emergency, making them less likely to survive.

 

“Nearly one-in-four U.S. Hispanics are millennials, and the American Heart Association invites this generation to learn a very simple skill that could save the life of someone they love,” said Jessica DiMeo, AHA spokesperson.

 

The new video, produced in Spanglish to address the growing share of Latino millennials who are less inclined to use Spanish and speak only English at home, features a storyline inspired by Hispanic culture. The 60-second spot introduces a Hispanic mother who always knows best and never fails to remind her children of her wisdom. After a series of cuts displaying the mom’s smarts, the children turn the tables and show her how easy it is to perform Hands-Only CPR.

 

“Hands-Only CPR is so simple,” said DiMeo, “First, if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, call 9-1-1. Then push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” – the perfect rhythm for CPR.”

 

“Hispanics have higher heart disease risks and yet there are barriers and lack of information that keep them from calling 9-1-1 for assistance during a cardiac emergency,” said Sally Kweskin, Public Relations Director with Empire BlueCross BlueShield Foundation, “The video will help reduce barriers and allow viewers to understand the vital role they can serve by acting quickly and performing Hands-Only CPR. This latest public awareness effort continues the inspiring teamwork between the American Heart Association and Empire BlueCross BlueShield Foundation, which has resulted in more than three million people being trained in lifesaving Hands-Only CPR.”

 

“During cardiac arrest, every second matters,” said DiMeo, “This new educational video can serve as an accessible resource that will empower Hispanic millennials to learn Hands-Only CPR, an important skill that can potentially make a difference for their loved ones in a cardiac arrest situation. “

To view the video, visit heart.org/handsonlycpr or facebook.com/AHACPR.

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