RESOLUTION NO. RS2015-1369

A resolution recognizing February as American Heart Month and designating Friday, February 6, 2015, as the 12th annual “National Wear Red Day” in the City of Nashville.

WHEREAS, the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement has been impacting the health of women for 12 years, as heart disease is the Number 1 killer of women yet, eighty percent of cardiac events can be prevented; and

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

WHEREAS, an estimated 44 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular diseases; 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, since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease; and

WHEREAS, women comprise only 24 percent of participants in all heart-related studies; 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, only 43% of African American women and 44% of Hispanic women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk, compared with 60% of Caucasian women; and

WHEREAS, 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; and

WHEREAS, women involved with the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement live healthier lives, nearly ninety percent have made at least one healthy behavior change; and

WHEREAS, Go Red For Women is asking all Americas 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 Raise Your Voice: Advocate for more women-related research and education.
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.; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council hereby recognizes February as American Heart Month and in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke we designate Friday, February 6, 2015, to be National Wear Red Day® in the City of Nashville 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.

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 as American Heart Month and designating Friday, February 6, 2015, as the 12th annual “National Wear Red Day” in the City of Nashville.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to the Greater Southeast Affiliate of 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:	January 20, 2015
Adopted:	January 20, 2015
Approved:	January 27, 2015
By: