LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate on Thursday approved Sen. Ruth Johnson’s resolution to increase awareness of heart disease and stroke risks and recognize February as American Heart Month in Michigan. Senators and staff wore red in support of this effort as Johnson partnered with the American Heart Association for National Wear Red Day, which is Friday, Feb. 3.
“Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of women in the U.S., killing more women than all forms of cancer combined,” said Johnson, R-Holly. “Unfortunately, many people and especially women still don’t have a good understanding of their risks or of the warning signs or heart attacks and strokes, which can be different in women than in men.”
Women, especially Black and Hispanic women, are disproportionately impacted by heart disease and stroke. Research also shows that heart attacks are on the rise in younger women.
“This resolution is a chance to help save lives by increasing women’s — and men’s — cardiovascular awareness through the Go Red movement,” Johnson said. “I encourage everyone to wear red on Friday and to talk about cardiovascular health with your friends, coworkers, and loved ones.”
Senate Resolution 7 proclaims February 2023 as American Heart Month in Michigan and Feb. 3 as National Wear Red Day.
SR 7 says that from 2019 to 2020, deaths from heart disease increased by 4.8%, the largest increase in heart disease deaths since 2012, while stroke deaths increased by 6%.
It also says, “in 2015, cardiovascular disease accounted for $555 billion in health care expenditures and lost productivity, and by 2035, cardiovascular disease will account for over $1 trillion in health care expenditures and lost productivity annually.”
For more information, visit GoRedForWomen.org or www.heart.org/en/around-the-aha/reclaim-your-health-during-american-heart-month-in-february.
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Editor’s note: Sen. Johnson’s Senate session remarks on the resolution will be available at SenatorRuthJohnson.com/video.
The above photographs are available by clicking on the images or by visiting SenatorRuthJohnson.com/photos.
Top photo caption: Sen. Ruth Johnson, R-Holly, addresses the Senate about her resolution to proclaim February 2023 as American Heart Month in Michigan and Feb. 3 as National Wear Red Day. It also recognizes the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” initiative to help increase awareness of heart disease and stroke risks.
Bottom photo caption: Michigan senators and staff wore red on Thursday in support of the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day, which is Friday, Feb. 3. Sen. Ruth Johnson, R-Holly, (front center) sponsored a resolution proclaiming February 2023 as American Heart Month in Michigan and Feb. 3 as National Wear Red Day. It also recognizes the AMA’s “Go Red for Women” initiative to help increase awareness of heart disease and stroke risks.