Diseases of Decision? Health by Chance or Choice?

Is it possible for a lay person like you or me to save someone's limb from amputation? What would you do if you could assist others in the prevention and reversal of type 2 diabetes, cancer, or hypertension? Is it possible? If it's possible, is it worth dedicating a weekend so you can learn some introductory steps toward such lofty ideals?

Diabetes is 60% more common in black Americans than in white Americans. Blacks are up to 2.5 times more likely to suffer a limb amputation and up to 5.6 times more likely to suffer kidney disease than other people with diabetes.

Blacks develop high blood pressure earlier in life -- and with much higher blood pressure levels -- than whites. Nearly 42% of black men and more than 45% of black women aged 20 and older have high blood pressure.

Strokes kill 4 times more 35- to 54-year-old black Americans than white Americans. Blacks have nearly twice the first-time stroke risk of whites.

Cancer treatment is equally successful for all races. Yet black men have a 40% higher cancer death rate than white men. African-American women have a 20% higher cancer death rate than white women.

Are we just victims of circumstance or do we have the power to change these trends? 

Is good health and longevity a matter of chance or choice? 

Come to Health Evangelism 101 in Asheville, NC to find out, March 22-24, 2013.

*Source for statistics: http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/features/why-7-deadly-diseases-strike-blacks-most