[Filed with Secretary of State February 21, 2013.]
ACR 4, 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.
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.
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