Chicago Park District and Chicago Department of Public Health Celebrate Heart Health Month With Heart Screenings in Areas with Health Disparities

Parks and CDPH continue efforts to raise awareness, promote health and wellness for all Chicagoans

CHICAGO-Today, the Chicago Park District announced it will host a series of free primary level heart health assessments and screenings at five Park District locations throughout the month of February for American Heart Month. The Heart Health initiative is a collaboration with the Chicago Department of Health and continuation of the District's efforts to encourage residents to pursue their new year resolutions and utilize parks as a resource to continue active, healthy living throughout the year.

Heart screenings will occur at parks in CDPH Priority Community Areas and communities with lower life expectancies, including Garfield Park, North Lawndale, Englewood and Greater Grand Crossing.

Screenings will take place from 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm, every Thursday in February:

• Thursday, 2/6 at Homan Square Park, 3559 W Arthington St.
• Thursday, 2/13 at Hamilton Park, 513 W 72nd St.
• Thursday, 2/20 at Garfield Park Gold Dome, 100 N. Central Park Ave.
• Thursday, 2/27 at Grand Crossing Park, 7655 S. Ingleside Ave.
• Thursday, 2/27 at Amundsen Park, 6200 W Bloomingdale Ave.

During the screenings, health care partners will provide blood pressure screenings, conduct resting heart rate readings and discuss results with participants after finishing a heart health questionnaire. Participants will be given tips and resources on how to maintain and strengthen their cardiovascular health.

Although all racial and ethnicity groups in Chicago have begun to see improvements in life expectancy since the pandemic, as of 2022, Black Chicagoans remain the racial group with the lowest life expectancy at 69.8 years of age, indicating an 11.4-year gap between Black Chicagoans and their non-Black counterparts. Many communities on the South and West Side currently fall even further below this number.

"Heart disease is the leading contributor to chronic disease and continues to affect communities on the South and West side of Chicago. At the Park District, we work to create a thriving community and enhance the quality of life for all Chicagoans," said Superintendent and CEO, Rosa Escareño. "We hope that by raising awareness of cardiovascular health and elevating heart health education, we are connecting members of these targeted communities to essential resources that advance wellbeing, improve health outcomes and enhance quality of life."

As outlined in the Park District's strategic plan, the Park District is committed to advancing community wellbeing in communities across the city. As the leading provider of health and recreation opportunities in the city, the Chicago Park District facilitates and promotes engagement in all types of physical activity, for all ages and abilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults are encouraged to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week to reduce chronic disease. The Chicago Park District offers 70 park fitness centers, 20 outdoor fitness courses, 31 running tracks, 22 indoor pools, 18 miles of lakefront trail, nearly 9,000 acres of green space and hundreds of sports fields and athletic courts. These facilities are welcoming spaces that support exercise and active recreation.

"We are committed to reducing health disparities and improving access to essential preventive care, especially in communities disproportionately affected by heart disease," said CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige. "Through this partnership with the Chicago Park District, we are bringing vital heart health screenings and education directly to neighborhoods where they are needed most. Together, we can empower Chicagoans to take proactive steps toward a healthier future."

In addition to the screenings, Park District representatives will be on hand to provide information on heart healthy fitness and other opportunities available in parks. In addition to fitness and wellness classes, the Chicago Park District offers 1-month, 3-month or annual fitness center memberships. City of Chicago government employees, including employees of City of Chicago departments and sister agencies are eligible to receive a 30% discount on their Park District fitness center membership.

The Chicago Park District and CDPH Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion also collaborate on Healthy Chicago 2025 - the city's community health improvement plan.