What’s At Stake for Our Health

I hope you’re doing okay during these stressful times and that you’re practicing self-care.

This week, I wanted to break down what’s at stake for black women when it comes to our health.

You may already know that we experience the highest rates of preventable chronic diseases in the nation, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. But here’s how that breaks down:

· 49% of black women ages 20 and older have heart disease, the nation’s leading cause of death.

· Nearly 50,000 black women die every year from cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke. That’s nearly 140 women a day.

· 13% of black women have Type 2 diabetes.

· 56% of black women are considered obese, which dramatically increases the risk factor for these chronic diseases.

· Overall, when you factor in certain cancers, nearly 200,000 African Americans die from preventable chronic diseases every year — nearly 550 people a day — and the majority are women (who are my focus).

As one researcher has stated, “These are people who are in the prime of their life and should be contributing in all kinds of ways, so [these diseases] have a devastating effect, not just on the individual, but on the family, the community, and society in general.” 

Many of you may be experiencing one or more of these diseases personally. Or you may have a mother, sister, aunt, daughter, cousin, or friend who is experiencing these diseases or has died from them. If so, my heart is with you and I’m glad you’re here.

The good news is that these chronic diseases can be prevented, stopped, and even reversed with a healthy whole food, plant-based diet.

And I know that’s why more than 4,500 of you have already signed up for our 10,000 Black Vegan Women movement, which officially launches in October.

So with all that’s at stake when it comes to your health, I have a question for you. Have you made the recipes in the Weekend Vegan 2-Day Jumpstart that came when you signed up for the program?

If you have, wonderful! Have you also been inspired to keep eating vegan food regularly, like Odie Boley, who said:

“Since I have started the movement on May 1, I’ve lost 13 lbs, my blood pressure is down and I feel amazing! I can’t thank you enough!”

Odie didn’t wait for the program to start in October to eat more vegan food, and I hope you’re not waiting either.

If you need more vegan recipes, I recommend getting my book, Ageless Vegan, from your local library or wherever books are sold. It has 100 whole food plant-based recipes, and I’ll be using it as a guide during the program in October. So go ahead and get a head start!

But if you haven’t made the recipes in the Jumpstart, why not? If you just signed up for the program, I understand. 😉 But if you’ve been with me for a while, have you gotten started? If not, I encourage you to start now. Don’t wait to commit to your health. There’s too much at stake.

If you haven’t already, please join us at 10,000 Black Vegan Women to get your free Weekend Vegan 2-Day Jumpstart right away.

Much Love,