California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 4

Introduced by Assembly Member Buchanan

January 15, 2013

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 4—Relative to American Heart Month and Wear Red Day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 4, as introduced, Buchanan. American Heart Month and Wear Red Day.

This measure would recognize the month of February 2013 as American Heart Month in California and recognize February 1, 2013, as Wear Red Day in California.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease is the nation’s leading cause
of death and costliest disease, with direct and indirect costs
estimated to be $312.6 billion dollars; and

WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease accounts for one in three
deaths nationwide, and stroke is the leading cause of disability;
and

WHEREAS, More than 2,150 Americans die of cardiovascular
disease each day, approximately one death every 40 seconds; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 34 percent of deaths due to cardiovascular
disease occur before the age of 75 years; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, an estimated 635,000 people
in the United States will have a new coronary attack, an estimated
280,000 people nationwide will have a recurrent attack, and an
additional 150,000 “silent” heart attacks will occur this year; and

WHEREAS, More women die from heart disease than all forms
of cancer combined; and

WHEREAS, More than one in three female adults has some
form of cardiovascular disease, yet only one in five women believe
that heart disease is her greatest threat; and

WHEREAS, Ninety percent of women have one or more risk
factors for developing heart disease; and

WHEREAS, The symptoms of heart disease can be different
for women than for men, and are often misunderstood; and

WHEREAS, Women are less likely to call 911 for themselves
when experiencing symptoms of a heart attack than if someone
else were having a heart attack; and

WHEREAS, The research is clear that there are preventive
strategies, as well as community-based strategies, that can increase
survival rates from cardiovascular disease; and

WHEREAS, Making the right choices relating to proper
nutrition, physical activity, and other healthy lifestyle choices are
essential to living a heart-healthy life; and

WHEREAS, February is designated as American Heart Month,
and Californians should learn the warning signs of heart disease
and stroke; and

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; and

WHEREAS, The Go Red for Women movement has been
impacting the health of women for 10 years, and as a result, 330
fewer women are dying each day; and

WHEREAS, Wear Red Day is recognized nationwide each year
to highlight the Go Red for Women campaign; now, therefore, be
it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the month of
February 2013 as American Heart Month in California in order to
raise awareness of the importance of the ongoing fight against
heart disease and stroke; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes February 1, 2013, as
Wear Red Day in California, and urges all citizens to show their
support for women and the fight against heart disease by
commemorating this day by wearing the color red; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature urges public support for Go Red
for Women events planned in California during American Heart
Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.