Macon Times

In recognition of American Heart Month, Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin and the City of Milledgeville are partnering to host a Mayor’s Health & Wellness Walk scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. The walk will be held at the Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin walking track, 821 N. Cobb St. in Milledgeville. Local physicians will also be attending to provide information about improving heart health.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most widespread and complicated health challenges in the United States and around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The CDC estimates that 697,000 people in the U.S. die of heart disease each year – approximately 1 in every 5 deaths. Deaths related to heart disease are particularly high in Georgia and the Southeast.

“Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin is proud to partner with the mayor to offer the community an opportunity to participate in healthy exercise while learning about how to improve their health,” said Luis Fonseca, interim Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin CEO and Atrium Health Navicent president of hospitals and clinics. “Thank you to Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan for your partnership in sharing this important information with our community.”

The event is free and open to the entire community. Light refreshments will be provided. No reservations are required. American Heart Month is observed each February, during the same month as Valentine’s Day and Black History Month, offering an excellent opportunity to talk with loved ones about cardiovascular disease.

“Despite modern innovation, women are still dying at alarming rates from cardiovascular disease. Let’s get healthy together as one beloved community, taking care of one another,” said Milledgeville Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan. “Do it for your loved ones, do it for yourself, and together, let’s garner a healthy community.”

Original source can be found here.