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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-164
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
February 2, 2016
To declare February 5, 2016, as “National Wear Red Day” in the District of Columbia, to recognize the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke amongst women in the District of Columbia, to promote education and lifestyle changes that help to reduce cardiovascular risk, and to improve women’s lives.
WHEREAS, heart disease and stroke kill one in 3 women in the U.S., yet 80% of cardiac events may be prevented;
WHEREAS, cardiovascular diseases and stroke kill one woman every 80 seconds in the U.S.;
WHEREAS, an estimated 44 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular diseases, and more women than men die from heart disease in the District;
WHEREAS, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. and in the District, and more than 1,300 District residents die from heart disease each year;
WHEREAS, the District ranks 6th in the nation for most deaths from heart disease;
WHEREAS, 90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease, yet only one in 5 American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat;
WHEREAS, women comprise only 24% of participants in all heart-related studies;
WHEREAS, women are less likely to call 911 for themselves when experiencing symptoms of a heart attack than they are if someone else were having a heart attack;
WHEREAS, only 36% of African American women and 34% of Hispanic women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk, compared with 65% of Caucasian women;
WHEREAS, women involved with the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement live healthier lives, and nearly 90% have made at least one healthy behavior change;
WHEREAS, Go Red For Women encourages women to take charge of their health and schedule a Well-Woman visit to learn about health status and risk for diseases;
WHEREAS, Go Red For Women is asking all Americans to Go Red by wearing red and speaking red:
• Get Your Numbers: Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose.
• Own Your Lifestyle: Stop smoking, lose weight, be physically active, and eat healthy.
• Raise Your Voice: Advocate for more women-related research and education.
• Educate Your Family: Make healthy food choices for you & your family. Teach your kids the importance of staying active.
• Donate: Show your support with a donation of time or money.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “National Wear Red Day Recognition Resolution of 2016”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia declares February 5, 2016, as “National Wear Red Day” in the District of Columbia as confirmation of the District’s continued education on cardiovascular risk, and improvement of its residents’ health and lives.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
