[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9391 of January 29, 2016

American Heart Month, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Affecting people of all races and ethnicities, cardiovascular disease is
the single leading cause of death for both men and women in the United
States, responsible for one in three deaths in the United States each
year. Though usually preventable, heart disease can manifest itself in
sudden and unforeseen ways, and it costs our Nation hundreds of billions
of dollars annually. During American Heart Month, we remember those we
have lost to this devastating disease, promote healthy lifestyles that
mitigate its impacts, and pledge to continue our fight against it.

Heart disease must be addressed with urgency. Every person can take
steps to reduce the risk factors associated with heart disease in
themselves and in those they care about--whether as parents, caretakers,
or friends--by encouraging healthy eating, physical activity, and by
discouraging the use of tobacco. Almost half of all Americans face
increased risk of heart disease for reasons that include being a smoker,
having high blood pressure, or having high cholesterol. You can reduce
your chances of developing heart disease by reducing alcohol intake,
exercising regularly, maintaining a nutritious diet, living tobacco-
free, and staying aware of early warning signs. For more resources and
information, visit www.CDC.gov/HeartDisease.
Testing cholesterol levels for individuals particularly vulnerable to
heart disease and checking blood pressure regularly are both critical
preventive measures for detecting heart disease early on, and thanks to
the Affordable Care Act, tens of millions of Americans now have access
to recommended preventive services for free. First Lady Michelle Obama's
Let's Move! initiative is working to reduce obesity--another primary
contributing factor to cardiovascular issues--among children to offset
their susceptibility to heart disease and other obesity-related health
problems. Additionally, my Administration launched Million Hearts 5
years ago, a national initiative aimed at preventing 1 million heart
attacks and strokes by 2017. Moving forward, we will continue to invest
in research that helps target medical treatments and gives all of us
access to the personalized information we need to keep ourselves and our
families healthy.
Michelle and I encourage everyone to participate in National Wear Red
Day on Friday, February 5, by wearing red in honor of those we have lost
to heart disease and to raise awareness of this devastating disease and
the steps we can all take to prevent it. Every 43 seconds, someone in
the United States suffers a heart attack, and many of them are fatal.
Combating heart disease is imperative for improving public health in
America, and together, we can work to ensure everybody knows its signs
and symptoms and can access needed care. This month, let us renew our
efforts to raise awareness of this disease and its consequences, and let
us recommit to building a healthier, heartier future for all.
In acknowledgment of the importance of the ongoing fight against
cardiovascular disease, the Congress, by Joint Resolution approved De

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cember 30, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 101), has requested
that the President issue an annual proclamation designating February as
``American Heart Month.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim February 2016 as American Heart Month, and I
invite all Americans to participate in National Wear Red Day on February
5, 2016. 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of
January, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA