Cheryl “Salt” Wray, one-third of the veteran hip-hop group, Salt ‘n Pepa, has had a career that has spanned over 20 years with hits such as “Shoop,” the HIV/AIDS informational song, “Let’s Talk S-E-X,” and the classic “Push It.”  

The wife and mother is now pushing a new type of tune: against stroke.  The American Stroke Association kicked off a national hip hop stroke video competition for 10- to 15-year-olds to broaden public awareness about stroke with Salt being a spokesperson.

Integrating hip hop music with stroke education helps kids learn, retain and share stroke information with their parents and grandparents, according to research presented at the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference.

The free competition engaged and educated youth on stroke while igniting their creative use of visual arts.

Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability in America. Yet, 93 percent of Americans do not think of stroke as a major health concern, according to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

 “I appreciate the efforts of the American Stroke Association,” said Salt, whose close friend had a stroke in 2007. “They are bringing awareness to our community concerning stroke prevention in a creative and caring way. When a stroke occurs, it affects family and friends — that’s why it’s critical that this competition be an intergenerational effort, so that people of all ages learn that stroke can happen to anyone and at any time.”

For more information on other celebrities like Salt and their efforts, click here.

Read more about Salt’s stroke prevention program at BlackDoctor.Org.
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