Dear New Member:

According to a recent study, more than half (53%) of all deaths of North Carolinians are preventable. Most of the leading causes of preventable deaths in North Carolina involve risky behaviors or lifestyles. Among the leading causes of preventable death was tobacco use as number one and unhealthy diet/physical inactivity as number two. The direct medical costs to North Carolina related to tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition alone are estimated to be at least $6 billion per year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services report on Health Profiles of North Carolinians 2007 Update. Yet African American women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese compared to other groups in the U. S. Three out of four African American women are overweight or obese, according the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.

African Americans have more disease, disability and early death Whites. The leading causes of death for African American women are heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease. African American women die from diabetes related illness 6.1% as compared to their White counterparts of the same age group with 2.4%, according to North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics

These facts are the "Why" to Black Women’s Health Network. You are the "How".

Our organization, the Black Women’s Health Network was founded in 2001 as a non-profit (501c3). Our mission is "To Empower Black Women to Take Control of Their Total Health and Well Being. Our goal is to help save the lives of African American women and children through Lifestyle Change.

We are looking for Women who are concerned about the state of health and well being for African American Women in North Carolina and the country. The Black Women's Health Network offers an opportunity to not only change your own health and lifestyle, but to implement change for others. Our message is S.O.S, "Save Our Sisters".

The Black Women's Health Network also offers an opportunity to network with other women of like mind for setting and achieving work/life goals. The opportunity to network, learning to start and build a business, and marketing your business are also offered through your relationships developed with this Network. The opportunity to develop and enhance leadership skills through work with our major fundraisers, "Day of Pampering" and "Jazz & Soul Food Black Tie" are among many other benefits of becoming a member of the Black Women's Health Network.

Please visit our website for joining, www.blackwomenhealth.org, or send enrollment form direct to:

Black Women's Health Network
420 First Ward Court. Suite 102
Charlotte, NC 28202
blackwomenhealth@aol.com

Thank you for joining us to help with this much needed work.



Sincerely,



Denise D. Hairston
President & CEO, Black Women's Health Network