Declaring February as American Heart Month and February 4, 2005 as "Go Red For Women" Day in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease is the nation’s leading cause of death and stroke is the third leading cause of death; and

WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women; and

WHEREAS, Heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than half a million women each year – more than the next six causes of death combined; and

WHEREAS, According to an American Heart Association survey, only 13 percent of women consider cardiovascular disease their greatest health risk; and

WHEREAS, The financial cost of cardiovascular disease and stroke in the United States is estimated at $393 billion; and

WHEREAS, One in three females in the United States have some form of cardiovascular disease; and

WHEREAS, Sixty-three percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms of this disease; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, the American Heart Association launched a campaign entitled “Go Red For Women” created to raise awareness for this critical women’s health issue; and

WHEREAS, Numerous Philadelphia landmarks will be going red in February in support of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red For Women” Campaign and American Heart Month; and

WHEREAS, The American Heart Association is actively working with faith based institutions, health care providers, researchers and scientists, and public officials in an effort to educate and inform women about the importance of paying attention to their hearts and help them live longer, stronger lives by reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby proclaim February 4, 2005 as “Go Red For Women” Day in the City of Philadelphia and we call upon all women to recognize the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and urge all women to be educated and aware of the risk factors for this devastating disease and take action to reduce them.

FURTHER RESOLVED, We hereby proclaim the month of February as American Heart Month in the City of Philadelphia and we call upon men and women in the City of Philadelphia to be aware of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors and take action to reduce them.

RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the American Heart Association further evidencing the sincere sentiment and high esteem of this legislative body.

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