How Hip Hop Public Health is Making a Difference

Hip Hop Public Health (HHPH) is a New York City-based organization and collective of community educators, entertainers, and health professionals on a mission to eradicate health disparities—what the Health Resources and Services Administration defines as “population-specific differences in the presence of disease, health outcomes, or access to healthcare. Compared to the nation’s population as a whole, most major disparities documented are experienced by African Americans and other minority groups. For instance, African American adults are 50% more likely to die prematurely from stroke compared to their white counterparts.”

Stroke is a medical emergency caused by a lack of blood supply to part of the brain, preventing brain tissue from getting enough oxygen and nutrients. When someone experiences a stroke, brain cells can die in minutes. Because immediate treatment is very important to reduce the likelihood of brain damage and other long-term complications, Hip Hop Public Health’s founders, Dr. Olajide Williams, a neurology physician and director of the stroke center at Harlem Hospital and Doug E. Fresh, the first “human beatbox” partnered back in 2006 with a novel approach to stroke prevention— the Hip Hop Stroke Prevention Program.

Nicknamed Hip Hop Stroke (HHS), the program goes above and beyond as an interactive experience, allowing children to learn through catchy hip-hop songs and animated cartoon videos. Hip Hop Stroke’s concept is so special because it combines prevention and knowledge in a simple and fun yet majorly effective way—undoubtedly serving as a creative model for what public health and disease prevention should look like.

Research shows that participating HHS children leave with a basic understanding of what stroke is, how it occurs in the body, how to recognize the signs and symptoms, and what to do in a stroke event. This means that as participating HHS children grow up, they are more likely to have already been engaging in positive health behaviors to reduce the likelihood of experiencing a stroke, as well as know how to identify if a family member or someone close to them were to need help.

The real magic of HHS is in the stories shared about how the Hip Hop Stroke program has saved the lives of children’s parents and grandparents, making itself a true staple for improving health outcomes. If you would like to find out if your school is eligible for Hip Hop Stroke or book the Hip Hop Stroke program for a special event, please visit the Hip Hop Public Health website. The online portal is also available for schools all around the globe, and staff may register their school for the program at any time.