International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Chicago Local 2 is participating in an interactive booth at Taste of Chicago in Chicago, IL June 26, 2009

An estimated 28 percent of adults in Illinois1 have been informed by their physician that they have high blood pressure - a serious chronic disease that can cause damage to the blood vessels and make the heart work harder. Nationally, 74 million adults in the U.S. 2a – nearly one in three2b – suffer from high blood pressure, and approximately 30 percent3 are not even aware that they have the condition.

To address this public health concern, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 2 is participating in an interactive booth at Taste of Chicago that is designed to raise awareness of high blood pressure. Visitors to this booth will be able to get their blood pressure checked. Fire fighters from IAFF Chicago Local 2 will also be on site to greet visitors, hand out t-shirts and provide information about high blood pressure.

The fair will take place at Grant Park on Jackson Blvd. & Columbus Dr., Chicago IL 60604 on Friday, June 26th – Sunday, June 28th from 11:00AM-9:00PM. This event is being conducted through a collaboration between the IAFF and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

For more information, contact:
Annmarie Payne
212-462-8722