HR0155 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0155 LRB094 06407 CSA 36493 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the nation's number one killer, claiming the lives of more women than men each year; and

WHEREAS, Since 1984, more than 500,000 women die every year from CVD, equal to one death per minute; and

WHEREAS, Each year the economic burden of CVD is estimated to be over $350 billion; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois, 30,713 people died of CVD in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Most women do not realize that CVD is their greatest health threat; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms of CVD in women generally are recognized later in life when other health challenges may also be present; and

WHEREAS, One in 2.4 deaths are from CVD and only 38 percent of women report that their doctors have discussed CVD with them when discussing their health; and

WHEREAS, Sixty-three percent of women who suddenly died from coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms of the disease; and

WHEREAS, The public does not recognize the fact that each year CVD claims more lives than the next seven causes of death combined; and

WHEREAS, The American Heart Association has launched a new initiative called "Go Red for Women" to help raise awareness of women and heart disease and will focus on that theme during the American Heart Month in February and "National Wear Red for Women Day" on February 4, 2005; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the month of February 2005, and every February thereafter, as American Heart Month in the State of Illinois and all citizens are urged to join in the commemoration of this important observance.