"We envision a world where everyone has an
equal chance to live a long and healthy life."
Life-Long is striving to improve statistics
that say this kind of world isn't possible.
The reason why our organization was created to address the issue of the health status of mid-life African American women.
It has been called a tidal wave and a tsunami; it’s the aging of the Baby Boom generation. Born between 1946 and 1964, Boomers are expected to live longer than all the generations before them. But for one group of women – African American females – living a long and healthy life is not a foregone conclusion. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that African American women have the shortest life expectancy among women of all racial and ethnic groups in California.
African American women...
...Die an average of five years younger than white women ...Have the highest rates of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and arthritis ...Are overweight or obese in two out of three cases ...At age 40+ are particularly high risk for early-onset of chronic illness, poor quality of life and a shorter life expectancy than the general population |
Health literacy promotes healthy longevity.
“Health literacy is defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions and services needed to prevent or treat illness.”
U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services
“Health literacy means more than transmitting information, developing skills to be able to read pamphlets and successfully make appointments. By improving people’s access to health information and their capacity to use it effectively, improved health literacy is critical to empowerment.”
World Health Organization
U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services
“Health literacy means more than transmitting information, developing skills to be able to read pamphlets and successfully make appointments. By improving people’s access to health information and their capacity to use it effectively, improved health literacy is critical to empowerment.”
World Health Organization
Our purpose.
Formed in 2002 to address the impact of disparities in health combined with societal aging trends, Life-Long, a project of Community Partners®, is a Los Angeles-based organization dedicated to helping mid-life African American women achieve and maintain healthy longevity. We address topics affecting the health of women 40+ at home and in the workplace. Through public education, community outreach, personal empowerment, and advocacy, Life-Long is committed to eliminating ethnic and racial disparities in the areas of life expectancy and quality of life.
We believe in an active, hands-on approach and strive to involve women in the process of learning, through experience, how every woman can be a participant in her own future.
Information is made available from a holistic perspective in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, stress reduction, and community building. Working with key collaborators to ensure that our programs, services and activities are age-appropriate and culturally-responsive, Life-Long promotes the awareness of prevention’s vital role in promoting optimal health at every age.
We believe in an active, hands-on approach and strive to involve women in the process of learning, through experience, how every woman can be a participant in her own future.
Information is made available from a holistic perspective in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, stress reduction, and community building. Working with key collaborators to ensure that our programs, services and activities are age-appropriate and culturally-responsive, Life-Long promotes the awareness of prevention’s vital role in promoting optimal health at every age.
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To learn more about Life-Long and its program, Sisters Staying Healthy, read the article that appeared in the July 13, 2009 edition of the Los Angeles Times by clicking here.
To learn more about Life-Long and its program, Sisters Staying Healthy, read the article that appeared in the July 13, 2009 edition of the Los Angeles Times by clicking here.