Every 40 seconds someone has a stroke. It is the no. 4 cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the United States. However despite this staggering information, a majority of Americans do not think of stroke as a major health concern. But in an innovative move by the American Stroke Association, it has teamed up with celebrity music artist “Salt” and many others on a new youth music video project to increase awareness about stroke in America.

Cheryl “Salt” James of the grammy award winning multi-platinum female rap group “Salt-n-Pepa” has joined forces with the American Stroke Association in efforts to use hip hop to save lives. She will be one of the celebrity judges for the Hip Hops Stroke Video Competition. Just last month in May for National Stroke Awareness month, the American Stroke Association kicked off a national hip hop stroke video competition for 10 to 15 year olds to increase public awareness about stroke. The goal of the contest is to ignite the visual artistic talent within kids while emphasizing the importance of knowing stroke warning signs and taking care of themselves now so they can have healthier lives as adults. The contest will run from May 7th through Sept 21st.  The grand winner will win a meet and greet with Terrence J from BET’s 106 & Park. Music videos will be created to accompany the stroke theme song,“Enlighten the World on Stroke” produced by Josh Mills of Atlanta based Osiris South Records.

In an interview with Salt, she shared that her commitment to this health campaign stems from a personal connection with stroke. Her publicist and health conscious friend Beverly Page suffered a stroke in 2007 at the age of 52. Salt, having then seen first hand the devastation stroke can cause has since elected to use her celebrity status and love for hip hop to help raise awareness and educate others.

“I was so amazed to learn that stroke is an everybody problem, its not to be associated with just old age. It can happen to anyone at anytime so its important that we (the public) are aware of the risk factors and the warning signs of stroke.” ~Salt

So kudos to the American Stroke Association for its first time appealing to youth via fun and engaging music videos. As Salt also referenced, using music is a great way to help youth remember important stroke information as we both recalled School House Rock’s popular “Conjunction Junction“ as another memorable song that served and still serves its purpose to teach valuable life lessons through music. Who doesn’t remember that song?

The power to end stroke starts with you! For more information on stroke and the Hip Hop Stroke Video Competition please visit www.StrokeAssociation.org.