Mayor Rawlings-Blake Kicks off American Heart Awareness Month in Baltimore
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the Baltimore City Health Department, the American Heart Association (Mid-Atlantic Affiliate) and St. Agnes Hospital joined together at City Hall to raise awareness about women’s heart disease and announce upcoming “American Heart Month” activities.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in America as well as Baltimore City. As the leading cause of death in Baltimore City overall, heart disease is also a major cause of disability and a key contributor to the 20-year life expectancy gap among city neighborhoods. Mayor Rawlings-Blake challenged all Baltimore City residents to commit to living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
“Many efforts are underway to build a stronger, healthier Baltimore, such as improving food access in our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “There are simple steps we all can take to make our hearts stronger: Cut your salt intake, make healthy food choices, exercise more often, quit smoking, and schedule regular blood pressure and cholesterol screenings.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common heart disease is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. Although heart disease is sometimes referred to as a “man’s disease”, it is the leading cause of death for both women and men in Baltimore and the United States, and women account for nearly 50 percent of the deaths.
“We need to move beyond old models and engage people in making constructive, meaningful behavioral changes that lead us to better health outcomes,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot.
Heart disease is largely preventable and yet more women die of cardiovascular disease than the five leading causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease kills approximately 450,000 women each year – about one every minute.
“Saint Agnes Hospital is proud to have a partner in the City of Baltimore for the support of Red Dress Sunday,” said Shareese N. DeLeaver, co-chair of Saint Agnes Hospital’s Red Dress Sunday Committee. “Together, we hope to continue to raise awareness among African American and Hispanic women about the dangers of heart disease and the steps that can proactively be taken to prevent it.”
All this month, Baltimore City is helping increase awareness about heart disease among women and their families by partnering with St. Agnes Hospital and the American Heart Association (Mid-Atlantic Chapter) and encouraging women to “Go Red” by wearing the color red. According to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, research shows that women who “Go Red” are more likely to make healthy choices:
- Nearly 55% will increase their physical activity.
- 6 out of 10 will change their diet.
- More than 40% will check their cholesterols levels.
Local "Go Red" events planned in February include:
The American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 4, 2011. For more information, visit http://www.goredforwomen.org/wearredday/index.html
The American Heart Association’s 4th Annual Macy’s Go Red For Women Health Fair & Fashion Show will be held Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, at Towson Town Center, 825 Dulaney Valley Road in Towson. For more information contact Annette Fisher at 443-621-8315 or Annette.Fisher@heart.org.
7th Annual Red Dress Sunday on Feb. 13, 2011. Contact Krista Crockett for more information at 410-368-2773 or kcrockett@stagnes.org.
For more information about heart disease awareness events, programs and activities, visit www.baltimorehealth.org.
###
Visit our Website @ www.baltimorecity.gov