HJ0086

LRB095 15981 KBJ 41993 r






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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Diseases of the heart are the nation's leading 
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cause of death, and strokes are the third leading cause of 
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death;

and

 
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    WHEREAS, Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) claim the lives of 
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over 460,000 American females (about one death per minute) each 
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year;

and

 
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    WHEREAS, Each year, 53% of all cardiovascular disease 
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deaths occur in females, as compared to 47% in men, and about 
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32,500 more females than males die from a stroke;

and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 2008 the estimated direct and indirect cost of 
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cardiovascular diseases and strokes in the US is estimated at 
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$448.5 billion; and
 
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WHEREAS, More women die of heart disease, stroke, and all 
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other cardiovascular diseases than the next five leading causes 
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of death combined, including all cancers;

and

 
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    WHEREAS, Only 21% of women consider cardiovascular disease 
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their greatest health risk;

and

 
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    WHEREAS, February is designated as American Heart Month;


 


 






HJ0086
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LRB095 15981 KBJ 41993 r




1
and
 
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    WHEREAS, Go Red For Women is the American Heart 
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Association's national call to increase awareness about heart 
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disease, the leading cause of death for women, and to inspire 
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women to take charge of their heart health;

and
 
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    WHEREAS, All women should learn their own personal risk for 
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heart disease, using tools such as the American Heart 
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Association's Go Red For Women Heart Checkup and by talking to 
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their healthcare providers; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that in recognition of the importance 
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of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke we 
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proclaim February 1, 2008 as National Wear Red Day throughout 
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the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, We urge all citizens to show their support for 
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women and the fight against heart disease by commemorating this 
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day by wearing the color red; by increasing awareness and 
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empowering women to reduce their risk for cardiovascular 
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disease, we can save thousands of lives each year.