Research has shown that black people are 20 times more likely than other ethnic groups to develop heart failure before the age of 50, and they are more likely to be hospitalized or die from heart failure than white Americans. Earlier this month, Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC partnered with Shaquille O’Neal to help shift those dangerously high numbers.
The recently launched Shaquille Gets Real About Heart Failure campaign, a national educational initiative was designed to raise awareness around the heart failure disparity in the African American community and ways to manage this condition.
Although he’s never had heart challenges himself, Shaquille O’Neal (Shaq), recognized around the world as a Basketball Hall of Famer, is using his powerful platform to help spread the word that every African American needs to take this disease seriously.
“Heart failure is what happens when the intricate parts of the heart don’t work together to pump blood through the body,” says Dr. Ofilli, a fellow campaign ambassador and