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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. population, are projected to have some form of Cardiovascular Disease and total costs of CVD are expected to reach $1.1 trillion in 2035, with direct medical costs projected to reach $748.7 billion and indirect costs estimated to reach $368 billion; and
WHEREAS, hospitals and health systems around the country celebrate American Hearth Month by helping to raise awareness in their communities about heart disease, with staff wearing red and volunteers knitting or crocheting pint-sized red hats for newborns, as well as holding free screenings and heart health awareness events; and
WHEREAS, on February 19th, 2019, the Cook County Board of Commissioners and their staff participated in CPR/AED training generously provided by Illinois Heart Rescue; and
WHEREAS, this Honorable Body wishes to promote and raise awareness of American Heart Month and heart health in Cook County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the more than 5.2 million residents of Cook County, do hereby take this opportunity to acknowledge American Hearth Month; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in conjunction with American Heart Month, February
21st, 2019 be hereby declared “Go Red Day” in the County of Cook and each County Board Meeting day in February hereafter, and encourages everyone to wear red on such day to create awareness of and in recognition of American Heart Month; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceeding of this Honorable Body in recognition of American Heart Month.
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