SETTING THE AGENDA FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ON CORONARY HEART-DISEASE

Coronary heart disease (CHD) disproportionately affects the African Am erican population with death and disability. The disparity in mortalit y continues to exist between the general population and African Americ ans despite decreases in death rates in both groups since the 1970s. T he National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is committed to d eveloping and supporting research and activities that improve the heal th of African Americans through community partnership initiatives. One such initiative is the CHD in Blacks Project, developed to increase a wareness of the adverse effects of CHD, encourage healthy lifestyle be haviors, and, among health professionals, ensure that the latest treat ment guidelines from the NHLBI in high blood pressure, high blood chol esterol, and obesity are used. The NHLBI has also established a networ k of health professionals from across the country to assist in develop ing medical education programs and community education outreach activi ties in conjunction with the National Medical Association, the Associa tion of Black Cardiologists, and the National Black Nurses Association .