American Heart Association Launches New Campaign to Increase Bystander CPR Among Latino Millennials

Feb 20, 2022

DALLAS, June 1, 2016 – Latino millennials, the youngest major racial or ethnic group in the United States, take center stage in a new video released today to teach them how to save a life using Hands-Only CPR. The video, produced by the American Heart Association (AHA) in conjunction with the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc., showcases Hands-Only CPR, a two-step, easy-to-learn lifesaving technique.

In the United States, Latinos and blacks are at a higher risk for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with a poor prognosis. Latinos specifically are 30 percent less likely to have bystander CPR performed on them in a cardiac emergency, making them less likely to survive.

“Nearly one-in-four U.S. Hispanics are millennials, and it is time to teach this generation – my generation – a very simple skill that could save the life of someone they love,” said Manuel Medina, an AHA Instructor who teaches CPR and first aid through Nurses Educational Opportunities in San Diego.

The new video, produced in Spanglish to address the growing share of Latino millennials who are less inclined to use Spanish and speak only English at home, features a storyline inspired by Hispanic culture. The 90-second spot introduces a Hispanic mother who always knows best and never fails to remind her children of her wisdom. After a series of cuts displaying the mom’s smarts, the children turn the tables and show her how easy it is to perform Hands-Only CPR.

“Hands-Only CPR is so simple,” Medina said. “First, if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse, call 9-1-1. Then push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” – the perfect rhythm for CPR – until help arrives.”

“Hispanics have higher heart disease risks and yet there are barriers and lack of information that keep them from calling 9-1-1 for assistance during a cardiac emergency,” said Craig Samitt, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Anthem, Inc. “The video will help reduce barriers and allow viewers to understand the vital role they can serve by acting quickly and performing Hands-Only CPR.

This latest public awareness effort continues the inspiring teamwork between the American Heart Association and the Anthem Foundation, which has resulted in more than three million people being trained in lifesaving Hands-Only CPR.”

Learn, Enjoy and Save Life. HealthForce Training Center offer services such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advance Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS), CPR AED, Pediatric First Aid CPR AED and First Aid CPR AED. Read more of our blogs.