Title: A resolution designating February 2020 as "American Heart Month" and February 7, 2020, as "National Wear Red Day".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution designates February 2020 as American Heart Month and February 7, 2020, as National Wear Red Day.
It also recognizes and reaffirms the commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease by promoting awareness of causes, risks, and prevention; supporting research; and expanding access to medical treatment.
The resolution also encourages individuals to learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 513 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 513

 Designating February 2020 as ``American Heart Month'' and February 7, 
                  2020, as ``National Wear Red Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 27, 2020

 Ms. Sinema (for herself, Mrs. Fischer, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Baldwin, Mrs. 
 Blackburn, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Ernst, Mrs. Capito, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Ms. 
  Klobuchar, Ms. McSally, Ms. Rosen, Mrs. Shaheen, and Ms. Stabenow) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Designating February 2020 as ``American Heart Month'' and February 7, 
                  2020, as ``National Wear Red Day''.

Whereas cardiovascular disease affects men, women, and children of every age and 
        race in the United States;
Whereas, between 2003 and 2013, the death rate from cardiovascular disease fell 
        nearly 30 percent, but cardiovascular disease continues to be the 
        leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of 
        approximately 800,000 individuals in the United States each year and 
        accounting for 1 in 3 deaths across the country;
Whereas congenital heart defects are the--

    (1) most common birth defect in the United States; and

    (2) leading killer of infants with birth defects;

Whereas, each year, an estimated 800,000 individuals in the United States have a 
        heart attack, of whom an estimated 115,000 die;
Whereas, in 2015, cardiovascular disease accounted for approximately 
        $555,000,000,000 in health care expenditures and lost productivity;
Whereas it is estimated that cardiovascular disease will account for 
        approximately $1,093,900,000,000 in health care expenditures and lost 
        productivity annually by 2035;
Whereas individuals in the United States have made great progress in reducing 
        the death rate for cardiovascular disease, but this progress has been 
        more modest with respect to the death rate for cardiovascular disease in 
        women and minorities;
Whereas many people do not recognize that cardiovascular disease is the leading 
        killer of women in the United States, taking the lives of over 400,000 
        women in 2017;
Whereas over \1/2\ of all African-American adults have some form of 
        cardiovascular disease, including 57.1 percent of African-American women 
        and 60.1 percent of African-American men;
Whereas Alaska Natives and American Indians are more likely to die from 
        cardiovascular disease than individuals from other ethnic groups;
Whereas Native Hawaiians have higher mortality rates and die at a younger 
        average age from cardiovascular disease than other ethnic groups in 
        Hawaii;
Whereas many minority women, including African-American, Hispanic, Asian-
        American, and Native American women and women from indigenous 
        populations, have a greater prevalence of risk factors or are at a 
        higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke, and other 
        cardiovascular diseases, but are less likely to know of the risk;
Whereas women constitute about 20 percent of enrolled patients in cardiovascular 
        disease clinical trials;
Whereas, due to the differences in cardiovascular disease between men and women, 
        more research and data on the effects of cardiovascular disease 
        treatments for women is vital;
Whereas veterans have higher rates of cardiovascular disease than nonveterans;
Whereas female veterans are less likely than male veterans to be included in 
        studies on the effects of cardiovascular disease on veterans;
Whereas female veterans are less likely than male veterans to receive adequate 
        treatment for cardiovascular disease;
Whereas extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified major and 
        contributing factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, 
        including--

    (1) high blood pressure;

    (2) high blood cholesterol;

    (3) using tobacco products;

    (4) exposure to tobacco smoke;

    (5) physical inactivity;

    (6) obesity; and

    (7) diabetes mellitus;

Whereas an individual can greatly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease 
        through lifestyle modification coupled with medical treatment when 
        necessary;
Whereas greater awareness and early detection of risk factors for cardiovascular 
        disease can improve and save the lives of many individuals in the United 
        States each year;
Whereas, under section 101(1) of title 36, United States Code, the President is 
        requested to issue an annual proclamation designating February as 
        American Heart Month;
Whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes 
        of Health, the American Heart Association, and many other organizations 
        celebrate National Wear Red Day during February by ``going red'' to 
        increase awareness about cardiovascular disease as the leading killer of 
        women; and
Whereas, every year since 1964, the President has issued a proclamation 
        designating the month of February as American Heart Month: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates--
                    (A) February 2020 as ``American Heart Month''; and
                    (B) February 7, 2020, as ``National Wear Red Day'';
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of American Heart Month 
        and National Wear Red Day;
            (3) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United 
        States to--
                    (A) promoting awareness about the causes, risks, 
                and prevention of cardiovascular disease;
                    (B) supporting research on cardiovascular disease; 
                and
                    (C) expanding access to medical treatment for 
                cardiovascular disease;
            (4) commends the efforts of States, territories, and 
        possessions of the United States, localities, nonprofit 
        organizations, businesses, and other entities, and the people 
        of the United States who support American Heart Month and 
        National Wear Red Day; and
            (5) encourages every individual in the United States to 
        learn about his or her risk for cardiovascular disease.
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