[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2023)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 7347-7348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02430]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 23 / Friday, February 3, 2023 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 7347]]

                Proclamation 10517 of January 31, 2023

                
American Heart Month, 2023

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During American Heart Month, we recommit to supporting 
                the more than 120 million Americans living with a 
                cardiovascular condition; advancing groundbreaking and 
                lifesaving research; and expanding access to affordable 
                health care, prescription drugs, and healthy 
                lifestyles.

                Heart disease has long been the leading cause of death 
                in the United States, claiming nearly 700,000 lives a 
                year. Nearly half of all American adults have at least 
                one major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. From 
                heart attacks and strokes to high blood pressure, the 
                threat of cardiovascular disease touches almost every 
                family in our Nation. But while heart conditions can be 
                costly and deadly, they are also often preventable with 
                access to affordable health care, advancements in 
                technology, and lifestyle changes.

                There is so much we can do to keep advancing our fight 
                against heart disease. Last March, I was proud to 
                launch a major biomedical innovation initiative, the 
                Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, to drive 
                breakthroughs in preventing, detecting, and treating 
                life-threatening conditions like Alzheimer's, diabetes, 
                and cancers--progress that can lead to critical 
                advancements on a range of cardiovascular diseases as 
                well. Meanwhile, to help more families afford existing 
                treatments, the Inflation Reduction Act will cap out-
                of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors on 
                Medicare at $2,000 a year, no matter the medication--
                including those that work to prevent blood clots, lower 
                blood pressure or cholesterol, manage diabetes, and 
                otherwise promote heart health. That landmark law will 
                also bring down the cost of health coverage under the 
                Affordable Care Act and allow more Americans to gain 
                coverage. This will help more people access free 
                preventative services like blood pressure and obesity 
                screenings and afford quality, comprehensive care if 
                diagnosed.

                My Administration is working to help more people lead 
                heart-healthy lifestyles as well. At last fall's White 
                House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health--the 
                first in over 50 years--we released a national strategy 
                to reduce diet-related diseases. This includes 
                providing healthy, free meals to millions more school 
                kids; boosting Medicaid and Medicare coverage for 
                services like nutrition and obesity counseling; 
                expanding incentives for fruits and vegetables in the 
                Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; and 
                increasing access to parks and exercise, especially in 
                underserved communities. To further reduce smoking, a 
                major cause of heart disease, the Food and Drug 
                Administration has also proposed a rule to ban menthol-
                flavored cigarettes and flavored cigars, which are 
                popular among first-time smokers.

                As treatments and access to care improve, we can each 
                help to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy 
                heart. Exercising regularly, eating well, managing 
                weight, and avoiding smoking or vaping are proven to 
                reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. And we can 
                save lives by each learning the warning signs of a 
                heart attack or stroke and consulting a doctor if we 
                have risk factors or symptoms.

                We encourage all Americans to help bring attention to 
                heart health by wearing red on National Wear Red Day, 
                held on Friday, February 3rd.

[[Page 7348]]

                This month and always, we honor the memories of those 
                we have lost to heart disease, and we celebrate the 
                courage of the countless loved ones who are living 
                strong, full lives despite having heart conditions. I 
                am committed to doing all I can to improve their 
                futures.

                To learn more about heart health, please talk to your 
                health care provider or visit CDC.gov/heartdisease.

                In acknowledgement of the importance of the ongoing 
                fight against cardiovascular disease, the Congress, by 
                Joint Resolution approved December 30, 1963, as amended 
                (36 U.S.C. 101), has requested that the President issue 
                an annual proclamation designating February as 
                ``American Heart Month.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of 
                the United States of America, do hereby proclaim 
                February 2023 as American Heart Month, and I invite all 
                Americans to participate in National Wear Red Day on 
                February 3, 2023. I also invite the Governors of the 
                States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of 
                other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United 
                States, and the American people to join me in 
                recognizing and reaffirming our commitment to fighting 
                cardiovascular disease and extending the promise of a 
                long and healthy life across this country.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of 
                the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2023-02430
Filed 2-2-23; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3395-F3-P