Keystone Click is Going Red for Women

See a lot of buzz around “Going Red” this week? Good.

Do you know what this red phenomenon means? Going Red for Women is an initiative put on by the American Heart Association to raise awareness around women’s heart health.  It was discovered that heart disease, known as the Silent Killer, is the No. 1 killer of women and is “more deadly than all other forms of cancer combined” and still claims the lives of around 1,100 women a day.

In 2003, the American Heart Association decided to do something about this and started Go Red for Women to raise awareness about this silent killer.

The first Friday of every February is National Wear Red Day. Participants wear red to support the movement. This has been a major success each year. The American Heart Association has been able to better educate the public and promote healthy lifestyles since the first National Wear Red Day in 2003. The proof is in the numbers.

1. 34% fewer women now die from heart disease, saving 330 lives every day.
2. More women are taking ownership of their health by developing healthy lifestyles:
a. 37% are losing weight
b. 43% are checking their cholesterol
c. more than 50% exercise more
d. 60% have improved their diets
e. 33% have developed heart health plans with their doctor.
3. Awareness is up. 23% more Americans now realize heart disease is the #1 killer of women.
4. Awareness among minorities is up, doubling among Hispanic women and tripling among African American women.
5. 15% have quit smoking, and high cholesterol has declined by 18%
6. More communities have joined the fight. Registration in Go Red For Women is now more than 1.75 million. More than 25 million Red Dress Pins have been worn to support the cause. More than 185 cities host GRFW events and luncheons. And more than 2,000 landmarks light up in red on National Wear Red Day.
7. Legislative efforts are making a difference. Women no longer pay higher premiums than men for health coverage. And 20 states have programs for low-income women to get screenings for heart disease and strokes through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WISEWOMAN.
8. More gender-specific guidelines have been developed, because women’s symptoms and responses to medication differ from men’s.
9. Gender-specific medical research is up. The FDA now requires clinical trial results be reported by gender.
10. Gender-specific inequalities have been identified; ensuring women receive the same level of heart treatment as men.

(via https://www.goredforwomen.org/wearredday/about/ )

Despite the good news, there is still a lot of work to do. Will you join the movement and Go Red for Women?  Contact us to learn more about how we can enhance your online presence!