RESOLUTION NO. RS2017-552

A resolution designating Friday, February 3, 2017 as “National Wear Red Day” in the city of Nashville and marking the 14th Annual National Wear Red Day and the 14th year of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women Movement.

WHEREAS, cardiovascular diseases kill one in three women in the U.S., yet eighty percent of cardiovascular diseases may be prevented; and

WHEREAS, cardiovascular diseases and strokes kill one woman every 80 seconds in the U.S.; 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 or strokes; 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 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; and

WHEREAS, the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement motivates women to learn their family history and to meet with a healthcare provider to determine their risk for cardiovascular diseases and stroke; and

WHEREAS, women involved with the Go Red For Women movement live healthier lives; and

WHEREAS, by increasing awareness, speaking out about heart disease, and empowering women to reduce their risk for cardiovascular diseases, thousands of lives can be saved each year; and

WHEREAS, Go Red For Women encourages women to take control of their heart health by knowing and managing these five numbers:

1. Total Cholesterol
2. HDL (good) Cholesterol
3. Blood Pressure
4. Blood Sugar
5. Body Mass Index (BMI)

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 the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke, and do hereby proclaim Friday, February 3rd, 2017 to be National Wear Red Day in Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee, thereby urging all citizens to show their support for women and the fight against heart disease by commemorating this day by wearing the color red.

Section 2. 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, Jacobia Dowell