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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY AS AMERICAN HEART MONTH AND DECLARING FEBRUARY 21ST GO RED DAY IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, the month of February is recognized as American Heart Month; and
WHEREAS, the annual celebration began in 1963 to encourage Americans to join the battle against heart disease and each year a presidential proclamation pays tribute to researchers, physicians, public health professionals and volunteers for their tireless efforts in preventing, treating and researching heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.; and
WHEREAS, Heart Disease (including Coronary Heart Disease, Hypertension, and Stroke) remains the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S. and Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives each year than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined; and
WHEREAS, heart disease is the leading cause of death in Cook County as well, accounting for just under 10,000 deaths per year (24%) with more than half occurring in suburban Cook County; and
WHEREAS, the estimated annual incidence of heart attack in the United States is 720,000 new attacks and 335,000 recurrent attacks with Americans suffering a heart attack approximately every 40 seconds; The average age at the first heart attack is 65.6 years for males and 72.0 years for females; and
WHEREAS, although some progress has been made, it's important to make sure all Americans have access to quality care and as a country we should continue to focus on "Life's Simple 7," which refers to the American Heart Association's seven goals of eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding excess weight, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar within a healthy range; and
WHEREAS, nearly half of all non-Hispanic black adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, 47.7 percent of females and 46.0 percent of males; and
WHEREAS, by 2035, more than 130 million adults, or 45.1% of the U.S. ...
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