California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 122

Introduced by Assembly Member Burke

January 20, 2016

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 122—Relative to American Heart Month and Wear Red Day in California.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 122, as introduced, Burke. American Heart Month and Wear Red Day in California.

This measure would recognize the month of February 2016 as American Heart Month in California and February 5, 2016, as Wear Red Day in California in order to raise awareness of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, Heart disease and stroke kill one in three women
in the United States, yet 80 percent of cardiac events may be
prevented; and

WHEREAS, Cardiovascular diseases and stroke kill one woman
every 80 seconds in the United States; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 44 million women in the United
States 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 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, 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 percent of African American women and
34 percent of Hispanic women know that heart disease is their
greatest health risk, compared with 65 percent of Caucasian
women; and

WHEREAS, According to the federal Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease and stroke account
for 31.7 percent of all female deaths in California; and

WHEREAS, Research conducted by the CDC in 2010 found
that, on average, almost 100 women die from heart disease and
stroke in California each day; and

WHEREAS, Women involved with the American Heart
Association’s Go Red For Women movement live healthier lives,
and nearly 90 percent have made at least one healthy behavior
change; and

WHEREAS, The Go Red For Women movement encourages
women to take charge of their health and schedule a well-woman
visit to learn about health status and risk for diseases; and

WHEREAS, The Go Red For Women movement is asking all
Americans to go red by wearing red and speaking red. Get your
numbers: ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and
cholesterol. Own your lifestyle: stop smoking, lose weight,
exercise, and eat healthy. Realize your risk: educate your family,
make healthy food choices for you and your family, and teach your
kids the importance of staying active. Don’t be silent: tell all
women you know that heart disease is their number one killer;
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 2016 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 5, 2016, 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. 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 be it further

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