Health Equity Consultant with Iowa Public Health Association and Mid-Iowa Health Foundation HealthConnect Fellow
(April 2022-September 2023)
Improving heart health education and health outcomes in Black and African American communities
Driven by her family’s experiences with heart failure, Roland has focused her fellowship campaign on increasing awareness of disparities in heart health for Black and African Americans and improving heart health outcomes through better education and greater use of clinical screening and genetic testing within health care clinics.
Roland has produced many educational materials — including a flier, poster, and brochure — that share information about heart disease risks and ways people can advocate with their health care providers for their health. Materials have been shared at events that engage the African American community, including I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa, Iowa Juneteenth celebration, and Black Women for Healthy Living events. She is leading the launch of a film series, “Heart 2 Heart,” that features five African American leaders from the Des Moines community who were unexpectedly affected by heart conditions and clinicians who share heart health information.
In addition to reaching Black communities directly, Roland has engaged public health and health care professionals in understanding the heart issues that disproportionately impact Black and African American people and the need for better prevention and early intervention efforts. She presented to Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA) members and initiated conversations with stakeholders and physicians in Iowa health care systems to encourage greater use of clinical screening and genetic testing to detect potential issues early. She also has collaborated with the American Heart Association’s efforts in Iowa — allowing them to use her son’s story to fundraise and build support, and serving as a member of its Healthy Living Task Force.
While Roland has not yet seen the health care system shift toward taking greater steps to educate patients about heart health and to conduct cardiovascular clinical screenings and genetic testing more often, she has received some support for her efforts from clinicians and community stakeholders. Roland’s personal nurse practitioner joined her in presenting during the IPHA lunch-and-learn session. The YMCA of Greater Des Moines agreed to display Roland’s cardiovascular genetic testing posters at its locations. As she continues to build champions in the community, more doors are opening for her to share information broadly and the issue has become more widely recognized within the community.
Roland has also seen interest grow among those she’s connected with personally. As she’s shared her own story and distributed materials, a growing number of people have reached out to Roland to share their stories and to seek assistance in navigating the health care system.
Roland has received recognition for her efforts, including being named a Leader of Impact with the American Heart Association. She also will speak with USA Track & Field leadership about heart health and genetic testing, with the ability to connect Olympic athletes to information.
