At the USC Health Sciences Campus Monday, stalls lined the Pappas Quad offering training in hands-only CPR, stopping blood loss, administering Narcan and mental health first aid. These events were just part of USC’s activity lineup for National Public Health Week.
This year’s theme, “Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving: We Are All Public Health,” resonated throughout the event, particularly with the launch of the Community Readiness Champions initiative. Building upon the success of the 2023 Heart Heroes campaign, which trained over 500,000 LA County residents in hands-only CPR, this initiative aims to empower individuals across diverse communities, with a special focus on communities of color.
“Formal CPR training is less readily available in black and Hispanic communities, and those communities are also less likely to receive bystander CPR. A campaign like Heart Heroes eliminates obstacles that often discourage people from seeking training and instead meets people where they are,” said Kristen McCowan, the Vice President of Government and Community Affairs for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The festivities also included a press conference featuring representatives from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (LADPH), Los Angeles Fire Department, the American Heart Association, and USC’s Keck School of Medicine.
According to the American Heart Association, 500,000 people die from cardiac arrest in the US alone, and only 46% of people who suffer cardiac arrest receive help from a bystander. If more people learn CPR, more lives can be saved.
“This could happen to anyone. Anyone could suffer from this no matter who it is, and it’s so important that everyone learn CPR because it can save so many lives and help out so many people,” said Cash Hennessy, a press-conference speaker who suffered a cardiac arrest at 13 years old. He was resuscitated by bystanders using hands-only CPR and now works as a CPR-readiness advocate.
“We are here to serve the public and we do everything we can to help people when they need us the most. But the truth is we cannot possibly be everywhere when medical emergencies strike. That is why we need to urge everyone to step up and be part of our Emergency Response Team,” said L.A. County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone.
LADPH Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer is excited to build off of last year’s initiative and introduce new life-saving skills to L.A. residents.
“We know that there are people in our communities that have been really hungry to build their skills, so that they can play a role when there’s an emergency situation,” Dr. Ferrer said in an interview with Annenberg Media.
USC students, particularly those from the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists chapter, have played a pivotal role in increasing access to naloxone and training others in its use. At Monday’s event, some of these students operated a tent distributing free Narcan and Fentanyl Testing Strips, along with information on how to use these life-saving devices.
“You never know in any environment, whether it’s like a college campus or just anywhere, if someone you know may have accidentally overdosed on opioids,” said Justin Prakaiphetkul, a PhD student at USC.
USC Chief Campus Health Officer Dr. Van Orman emphasized the role of education and advocacy in promoting public health awareness and empowering individuals to take proactive steps in safeguarding their communities.
“We know how issues of heart disease, the opioid epidemic [and] mental health challenges impact so many of us. We also know that when individuals have knowledge, skills and confidence, they can be an active bystander, and they can save a life.”