There's no denying that CPR can help save lives. So why aren't more people willing to learn this life-saving skill? As an advocate for CPR (Learn CPR America, LLC) and volunteer for the American Heart Association (AHA) for a good part of my life, I believe everyone should strive to inform the public about the life-saving potential of performing CPR. Two simple steps, dial 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest, could save thousands of lives. Did you know that each year over 400,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the U.S? If performed immediately, CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival. Sadly, that happens less than 10% of the time outside of the hospital. This number is disproportionately higher in lower socioeconomic and African American and Latino communities.
According to the AHA, the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Nashville is only 5%. Even in major cities like Chicago, Atlanta and Charlotte, the survival rates could be vastly improved if more people knew how to perform CPR. We can and should do better. CPR Week, June 1-7, provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness about the life-saving potential of CPR in Nashville and around the nation. I urge you to support this week of awareness.
Dr. Katherine Y. Brown
Nashville, Tennesee
