GO RED FOR WOMEN DAY–FEBRUARY 3, 2012

WHEREAS, diseases of the heart are the nation’s leading causes of death; stroke is ranked as the fourth overall leading cause;

WHEREAS, cardiovascular disease claims the lives of over 421,000 American females each yearapproximately one female per minute dies from heart disease;

WHEREAS, each year, 52 percent of all cardiovascular disease-related and 60 percent of all strokerelated deaths occur in females;

WHEREAS, high blood pressure is more prevalent in certain racial/ethnic minority groups in the United States, especially in African Americans, for whom the prevalence is among the highest in the world;

WHEREAS, too many women die each year because of their lack of awareness about heart disease as the number one killer of women. Nearly as many women die of heart disease, stroke, and all other cardiovascular diseases than the next four leading causes of death combined, including all cancers;

WHEREAS, only 16 percent of women surveyed in 2009 identified cardiovascular disease as the greatest health problem facing them;

WHEREAS, Go Red For Women® is the American Heart Association’s national call to increase awareness about heart disease—the leading cause of death for women—and to inspire women to take charge of their heart health;

WHEREAS, all women should learn their own personal risk for heart disease by talking to their healthcare providers; and

WHEREAS, making the right choices related to proper nutrition, physical activity, and other healthy lifestyle choices is essential to a heart healthy life style.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke in women, hereby acknowledges support for Friday, February 3, 2012, as “National Wear Red Day”;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges its members to show support for women and the fight against heart disease by commemorating this day by the wearing of the color red on February 3, 2012, and by speaking out about heart disease, thus empowering women to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease and saving thousands of lives each year;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in recognition of the importance of making all women aware of the risk factors and warning signs of heart disease, the NBCSL urges its members to “Make It Their Mission to Help Save Lives” through the introduction of legislation in their home states;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges its members to educate their constituents about the risk factors for heart disease in women through participation in Go Red For Women® during the month of February, and by sharing Go Red For Women® messages in their newsletters and town hall meetings; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

SPONSOR: Senator Constance N. Johnson (OK)
Committee of Jurisdiction: Health and Human Services Policy Committee
Certified by Committee Chair: Representative Beverly Earle (NC)
Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 9, 2011
Ratification is certified by: Representative Barbara W. Ballard (KS), President