[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 403 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 403

 Designating February 2018 as ``American Heart Month'' and February 2, 
                  2018, as ``National Wear Red Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 12, 2018

 Ms. Hirono (for herself, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Heitkamp, 
Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Hoeven, Mrs. Capito, Ms. 
Baldwin, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Warren, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Hassan, Ms. Smith, 
 Ms. Klobuchar, and Ms. Duckworth) submitted the following resolution; 
                   which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Designating February 2018 as ``American Heart Month'' and February 2, 
                  2018, 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 United States;
Whereas congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in the United 
        States, as well as the leading killer of infants with birth defects;
Whereas, each year, an estimated 790,000 individuals in the United States have a 
        heart attack, of whom an estimated 115,000 die;
Whereas cardiovascular disease accounts for $555,000,000,000 in health care 
        expenditures and lost productivity annually;
Whereas, by 2035, cardiovascular disease will account for $1,093,900,000,000 in 
        health care expenditures and lost productivity annually;
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 400,000 women 
        in 2014;
Whereas nearly \2/3\ of women who unexpectedly die of cardiovascular disease 
        have no previous symptoms of the disease;
Whereas nearly \1/2\ of all African-American adults have some form of 
        cardiovascular disease, including 47.7 percent of African-American women 
        and 46 percent of African-American men;
Whereas Alaska Natives die from cardiovascular disease at younger ages than 
        individuals from other ethnic groups;
Whereas it is estimated that 36 percent of Alaska Natives and American Indians 
        who die of cardiovascular disease die before reaching 65 years of age;
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, between 1965 and 2017, treatment of cardiovascular disease for women 
        was largely based on medical research on men;
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 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) smoking 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 thousands of 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 2018 as ``American Heart Month''; and
                    (B) February 2, 2018, 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 in the United 
        States to fighting cardiovascular disease by--
                    (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;
            (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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