RESOLUTION NO. RS2014-986

A resolution recognizing February 2014 as American Heart Month and Friday, February 7, 2014, as National Wear Red Day.

WHEREAS, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the month of February is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and increasing knowledge about prevention; and

WHEREAS, Heart disease is the Number 1 killer of women yet, is often preventable; and

WHEREAS, cardiovascular diseases cause one in three women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute; and

WHEREAS, an estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular diseases; and

WHEREAS, heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined, but is often undiagnosed; and

WHEREAS, ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease, yet only one in five American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat; and

WHEREAS, women comprise only 24 percent of participants in all heart-related studies; and

WHEREAS, since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease and the gap between men and women’s survival continues to widen; and

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; and

WHEREAS, the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement has been impacting the health of women for 10 years and more than 627,000 women’s lives have been saved and 330 fewer women are dying every day; and

WHEREAS, In celebration of National Wear Red Day on February 7, 2014, Go Red For Women is asking all women across America to Go Red by wearing red and speaking red.

o Get Your Numbers: Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol.
o Own Your Lifestyle: Stop smoking, lose weight, exercise and eat healthy.
o Realize Your Risk: Women think it won’t happen, but heart disease is the cause of 1 in 3 female deaths each year.
o Educate Your Family: Make healthy food choices for you and your family. Teach your kids the importance of staying active.
o Don’t be silent: Tell every woman you know that heart disease is their No. 1 killer. Raise your voice at GoRedForWomen.org.

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council hereby recognize February 2014 as American Heart Month and Friday February 7, 2014 as National Wear Red Day and urge all citizens to show their support for women and the fight against heart disease by commemorating this day by the wearing of the color red and by increasing awareness, speaking up about heart disease, and empowering women to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease, we can save thousands of lives each year.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing February 2014 as American Heart Month and Friday, February 7, 2014, as National Wear Red Day.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to the American Heart Association.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Erica Gilmore

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	February 4, 2014
Adopted:	February 4, 2014
Approved:	February 5, 2014
By: