CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shonali Burke, (202) 974-5027 / burkes@ruderfinn.com February 27, 2006

New Survey of African Americans

Reveals Dramatic Data on Experiences and Awareness of Paralysis

 

Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center

Commissions its first-ever survey on Paralysis in the African American Community

 

SHORT HILLS, N. J. A recent survey of African Americans revealed that more than half know, or have known, someone who is paralyzed, yet two-thirds are not aware of any resources in their community to help people living with paralysis.

 

Since the PRC opened its doors in 2002, we have learned there is a great lack of paralysis-related information in minority communities, stated Joe Canose, Vice President, Quality of Life, for the Christopher Reeve Foundation, who also oversees the organizational and outreach efforts at the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center (PRC). Helping minority communities obtain this information is critical; therefore, we conducted our first survey on paralysis in the African American community to help us better administer our outreach efforts.

 

The survey revealed that more than 52 percent of African Americans know or have known someone who is paralyzed, but 67 percent are not aware of resources for those living with paralysis within their community. Further, a significant proportion of African Americans (41 percent) perceive only a moderate level of support from their community for those living with paralysis.

 

After I was paralyzed, I became acutely aware of the information gap that people living with paralysis deal with every day, said actor and former rapper Daryl Chill Mitchell, who serves as a spokesperson for the PRCs Minority Communities Outreach Campaign. When it comes to minority communities, that information gap gets larger, as this survey shows. It emphasizes the need to spread awareness about the PRCs resources among the African American community, as well as to find ways for the community to get involved.

 

The survey also revealed that almost 80 percent of African Americans turn to medical professionals for information. Sandra L. Gadson, M. D., President of the National Medical Association, the countrys largest African American physician member organization, said, This survey shows the importance of medical professionals in providing support and information to the African American community. We are proud to be part of the PRCs Communities of Color Network, supporting their outreach efforts among minority communities. The Communities of Color Network connects members to vital information and resources on paralysis.

 

Said Canose, We encourage those living with and/or affected by paralysis to call our toll-free number at 1-800-539-7309, or visit our Web site at www.paralysis.org, where their questions can be answered by Information Specialists. We also urge them to ask for a free copy of our Paralysis Resource Guide, which contains a wealth of information for those trying to navigate the world of paralysis. The PRC promotes the health and well being of people living with paralysis and their families by providing them with comprehensive information resources and referral services.

 

 

Other key findings of the survey include:

 

         For support with a health problem, African Americans overwhelmingly (86 percent) turn to close family members. African Americans interviewed were most likely to turn to their spouse (27 percent), a parent (24 percent) or a sibling (22 percent) for support.

         Outside of family and friends, medical professionals are the key source of information (79 percent) if a person has a health problem. Only 11 percent of those surveyed turn to the Internet as a resource.

         More than half of African Americans (53 percent) know or have known someone who is paralyzed, and almost all those interviewed were aware of the source of the paralysis. The most frequent source of the paralysis was the result of an injury (35 percent), followed by an illness or health problem (33 percent). An equal number said the source of the paralysis was a birth condition (14 percent) or an act of violence (14 percent).

         African Americans have a high comfort level with people who are living with paralysis (50 percent are extremely or very comfortable, and 26 percent are somewhat comfortable), but perceive only a moderate level of support from their community for people living with paralysis (extremely supportive: 8 percent, and very supportive: 25 percent).

         Despite their high levels of awareness of, and comfort with, people living with paralysis, two-thirds of African Americans surveyed (67 percent) are not aware of any resources in their community that specifically help people living with paralysis.

 

This national survey commissioned by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, was conducted by International Communications Research (www.icrsurvey.com) to understand attitudes among the African American community towards people living with paralysis, and awareness of resources available to those with or affected by paralysis. The survey was based on telephone interviews with 1,000 adult African Americans (452 males, 548 females) living in the continental United States. Interviewing was completed during the period January 28 February 8, 2006. Findings are weighted to provide national representative and projectable data for the adult U. S. African American population, aged 18 years and older. The margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 3.10 percent.

 

The Minority Communities Outreach Campaign is a public awareness initiative of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center (PRC), a program of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The PRC promotes the health and well being of people living with paralysis and their families by providing comprehensive information resources and referral services. Our focus is on health promotion after paralysis from any disease, injury or birth condition. For more information, please call (800) 539-7309 or visit www.paralysis.org.

 

 

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