R 049

2016 -- H 7477 Enacted 02/04/2016

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 2016, TO BE "HEART HEALTH MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Naughton, Kennedy, McNamara, and Hull

Date Introduced: February 04, 2016

WHEREAS, Diseases of the heart are the nation's leading cause of death, and stroke is

the third leading cause of death; and

WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of nearly 455,000 American women

and men each year, approximately one death per minute; and

WHEREAS, Each year, 53 percent of all deaths occurring in women and men are due to

cardiovascular disease and 61 percent are due to stroke; and

WHEREAS, Each year the direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular diseases in the

United States, including stroke, is estimated to be over $500 billion; and

WHEREAS, More women and men die of heart disease, stroke, and all other

cardiovascular diseases than the next five leading causes of death combined, including all

cancers; and

WHEREAS, Few women and men consider cardiovascular disease their greatest health

risk; and

WHEREAS, February is designated as American Heart Month; and

WHEREAS, Go Red is the American Heart Association's national call to increase

awareness about heart disease—the leading cause of death for women and men—and to inspire

them to take charge of their heart health; and

WHEREAS, All women and men should learn their own personal risk for heart disease,

using tools such as the American Heart Association's Heart CheckUp and by talking to their

healthcare provider; and

WHEREAS, Making the right choices relating to proper nutrition, physical activity,

doctor visits, and other lifestyle methods is essential to living a heart healthy life; now, therefore

be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations, in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease

and stroke, hereby proclaims February, 2016, to be "Heart Health Month" and urges all citizens to

show their support for the fight against heart disease by commemorating this month with the

wearing of the color red. By increasing awareness, we will reduce risk for cardiovascular diseases

and save thousands of lives each year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the National Office of the American Heart

Association and to the Founders Affiliate of the American Heart Association.

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LC004610

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