Local health officials promoting heart health

PETAL, MS. - A local Physician Assistant (P.A.) visited Petal 3-D school to promote heart health.

As part of the 'Home Is Where The Heart Is' themed holiday art competition and fundraiser, Hattiesburg Clinic's P.A., Allison Henderson discussed the importance of cardiovascular health.

“According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease is the number one cause of death in the Americans" said Henderson.

As part of the competition students make creative holiday cards each year during the holiday and sell them to the general public.

The proceeds help Extra Table, a non-profit organization that provides fresh, heart healthy food to food insufficient families across the Pine Belt.

She added, "So it is vitally important that we teach our kids at a young age how to keep our hearts healthy.”

Students from both Forrest and Lamar county school districts participate in the competition each year.