HR0793 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Heart disease is the number one killer of women, yet is often preventable; and

WHEREAS, Cardiovascular diseases cause one in 3 women's deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 43 million women in the United States are affected by cardiovascular diseases; and

WHEREAS, Heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined, but is often undiagnosed; and

WHEREAS, Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease, yet only one in 5 American women believe that heart disease is their greatest health threat; and

WHEREAS, Women comprise only 24% of participants in all heart-related studies; and

WHEREAS, Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease and the gap between men and women's survival continues to widen; 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, The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement has impacted the health of women for the last 10 years; more than 627,000 lives have been saved and 330 fewer women are dying every day; and

WHEREAS, In celebration of the 10th anniversary of National Wear Red Day on February 7, 2014, Go Red For Women is asking all women across America to Go Red by wearing red and speaking red; Go Red For Women has suggested that women ask their doctor to check their blood pressure and cholesterol, stop smoking, lose weight, exercise, and eat healthy, realize their risk of heart disease, educate their families on the importance of healthy food choices and regular physical activity, and tell every woman they know that heart disease is their number one killer; and

WHEREAS, 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; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the date of February 7, 2014 as Illinois Wear Red Day in the State of Illinois and urge the citizens of this State 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 a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Go Red For Women as a symbol of our esteem and respect.