Presidential Documents

5875 

Federal Register 

Vol. 81, No. 22 

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 9391 of January 29, 2016 

American Heart Month, 2016 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Affecting people of all races and ethnicities, cardiovascular disease is the 

single leading cause of death for both men and women in the United 

States, responsible for one in three deaths in the United States each year. 

Though usually preventable, heart disease can manifest itself in sudden 

and unforeseen ways, and it costs our Nation hundreds of billions of dollars 

annually. During American Heart Month, we remember those we have lost 

to this devastating disease, promote healthy lifestyles that mitigate its impacts, and pledge to continue our fight against it. 

Heart disease must be addressed with urgency. Every person can take steps 

to reduce the risk factors associated with heart disease in themselves and 

in those they care about—whether as parents, caretakers, or friends—by 

encouraging healthy eating, physical activity, and by discouraging the use 

of tobacco. Almost half of all Americans face increased risk of heart disease 

for reasons that include being a smoker, having high blood pressure, or 

having high cholesterol. You can reduce your chances of developing heart 

disease by reducing alcohol intake, exercising regularly, maintaining a nutritious diet, living tobacco-free, and staying aware of early warning signs. 

For more resources and information, visit www.CDC.gov/HeartDisease. 

Testing cholesterol levels for individuals particularly vulnerable to heart 

disease and checking blood pressure regularly are both critical preventive 

measures for detecting heart disease early on, and thanks to the Affordable 

Care Act, tens of millions of Americans now have access to recommended 

preventive services for free. First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative is working to reduce obesity—another primary contributing factor to 

cardiovascular issues—among children to offset their susceptibility to heart 

disease and other obesity-related health problems. Additionally, my Administration launched Million Hearts 5 years ago, a national initiative aimed 

at preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Moving forward, 

we will continue to invest in research that helps target medical treatments 

and gives all of us access to the personalized information we need to 

keep ourselves and our families healthy. 

Michelle and I encourage everyone to participate in National Wear Red 

Day on Friday, February 5, by wearing red in honor of those we have 

lost to heart disease and to raise awareness of this devastating disease 

and the steps we can all take to prevent it. Every 43 seconds, someone 

in the United States suffers a heart attack, and many of them are fatal. 

Combating heart disease is imperative for improving public health in America, and together, we can work to ensure everybody knows its signs and 

symptoms and can access needed care. This month, let us renew our efforts 

to raise awareness of this disease and its consequences, and let us recommit 

to building a healthier, heartier future for all. 

In acknowledgment of the importance of the ongoing fight against cardiovascular disease, the Congress, by Joint Resolution approved December 30, 

1963, as amended (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 101), has requested that the 

President issue an annual proclamation designating February as ‘‘American 

Heart Month.’’ 

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5876 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 22 / Wednesday, February 3, 2016 / Presidential Documents 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim February 2016 as American Heart Month, 

and I invite all Americans to participate in National Wear Red Day on 

February 5, 2016. I also invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth 

of Puerto Rico, officials of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the 

United States, and the American people to join me in recognizing and 

reaffirming our commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth 

day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of 

the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 

fortieth. 

[FR Doc. 2016–02218 

Filed 2–2–16; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F6–P 


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