OLYMPIA -- More than a dozen salons and barbershops that serve African-Americans in King and Pierce counties are going beyond helping their clients look good - they're helping them feel better, too.

Barbers and stylists participating in Power To Live Smart will soon be able to offer clients blood pressure checks and educational materials about heart disease and stroke. Power To Live Smart is a new collaborative program of the American Heart Association and Washington State Department of Health. Participants will begin to receive training on Monday, April 23, 2007.

"We know that heart disease and stroke target by color," said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. "That knowledge gives us power - we can teach people of color to recognize the signs and get help."

Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death in Washington. According to the Department of Health, African-Americans have higher rates of death from heart disease and stroke than most other racial groups. African-Americans in Washington also have high rates of hypertension - a leading cause of heart attack and stroke.

To help address this disparity, Power To Live Smart will train African-American stylists to talk with clients about cardiovascular health, distribute educational materials, and equip each salon with a digital blood pressure machine. Salons will get help in this work from a nurse or community volunteer.

"Power To Live Smart makes barbers and beauticians key partners in improving the health of the African-American community, a population least likely to have regular blood pressure checks. This program has been shown to work in other parts of the country, and we hope to achieve that success here," said Kristin Wurz, who oversees the Cultural Health Initiatives program for the American Heart Association in Washington.

These salons have committed to participating in the program:

• King County: A New You Beauty Salon, Hair Studio 57, Hodges Hair Quarters, Tee's Beauty Salon, Valentino Barbershop.
• Pierce County: A&M Beauty Supply & Salon, Creative Cuts and Styles, Divas Hair Studio, Goodfellas Barbershop, Lakewood International Hairport, Sam & Terry Barbershop, Valentino's Salon.

First training sessions for participants:

• King County:  Monday, April 23, 10 a.m. - noon, Hodges Hair Quarters, 4403 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle.
• Pierce County:  Monday, April 30, 10 a.m. - noon, Creative Cuts & Styles, 10828 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW, Lakewood.

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