Healthy Heart Program Updates
In this Issue
Welcome to this first electronic issue of Healthy Heart Beats. We trust you will find it contains the same pertinent, new and informative information focusing on heart disease and stroke. Send any comments on this new format to foodnutr@coop.ext.colostate.edu.
Cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one killer of women, claiming about one woman per minute in the United States. For 63 percent of these women, the first symptom is death, proving that we cannot rely on treatment alone. Remember that women are 10 times more likely to die from heart disease than breast cancer. Therefore the American Heart Association is launching a three-year public awareness campaign called "Go Red For Women." Click on the following link to their website for more information: www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3017091.
 The goal is to increase awareness among women about heart disease and stroke. February is heart month and this campaign will kick off nationwide on Friday, February 6, 2004, a national "wear red" day. Community and legislative events are planned, so stay tuned for events in your area as well as nationally. In Colorado, the week of May 2, 2004, is also planned as a "Go Red for Women" Week to allow yearlong efforts to take place and to keep the campaign alive. This "Go Red" campaign promises to be highly visible and a possible way to call attention to some of your educational programs. And the exciting news is that nutrition and eating habits play a major role in prevention. Education is the key!
The Red Dress is the symbol for this AHA campaign with lapel pins showing a person's support for women and heart disease awareness. At the Pacific Mountain Affiliate board meeting of AHA at the end of January, it was stated that this campaign is focusing on making women and heart disease the cause of the decade. As the current President of this affiliate, it is an exciting time to be a woman as I see this unfold. Watch for Women and Heart Disease conferences as a way you can participate. Focusing on heart disease in February for your media and newsletters may be appropriate. In addition to the Go Red For Women campaign, AHA is launching the first national paid advertising campaign on heart disease and stroke. Watch for spots on national television beginning the end of February.
The start to any new year is always a great time for us to discuss food and nutrition. In January the interest is weight and health and February is heart month. National Nutrition Month, a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association, is in March. This year the theme is "Eat Smart, Stay Healthy." Visit the ADA website at: www.eatright.org for information and details on using their art work and theme.
Best wishes for a heart healthy year.
Jennifer Anderson, Ph.D., R.D.
Food and Nutrition Extension Specialist
Shirley Perryman, M.S., R.D.
Extension Specialist
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Updated Tuesday, September 25, 2007.
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