[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 5 (Monday, February 7, 2000)]
[Pages 207-208]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7271--American Heart Month, 2000

February 1, 2000

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    In the past half century, our Nation has made enormous progress in 
the fight against heart disease. Through careful research, scientists 
and doctors have identified key factors--including smoking, high blood 
pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and physical 
inactivity--that increase the risk of heart disease. Working with 
dedication and determination, they have developed new treatments and 
procedures, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation, clot-
dissolving medicines, angioplasty, and cardiac imaging devices, that 
have saved many lives. As a result of these advances, the death rate 
from coronary heart disease has fallen dramatically in our Nation, with 
a nearly 60-percent reduction since its peak in the mid-1960s.
    While these developments are significant, heart disease remains a 
serious health problem. Despite our knowledge of the importance of 
exercise and a proper diet to maintaining a healthy heart, studies 
indicate that both physical inactivity and obesity are on the rise 
throughout our country. Today, more than 58 million Americans have one 
or more types of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and each year nearly 1 
million Americans die from CVD--more than from the next 7 leading causes 
of death combined. Furthermore, rates of coronary heart disease deaths 
and the prevalence of some risk factors remain disproportionately high 
in minority and low-income populations.
    As we stand at the dawn of this new century, it is crucial that we 
build on the developments of the last century to reduce the incidence of 
CVD, to address the disparity among various segments of our population, 
and to make further progress in the fight against heart disease. To help 
meet this challenge, my Administration has launched the Healthy People 
2010 initiative, which addresses health problems that can be prevented 
through better care and increased public awareness. Among the 
initiative's ambitious goals are improving the prevention, detection, 
and treatment of heart disease risk factors, earlier identification and 
quicker response in the treatment of heart attacks, and prevention of 
recurrent cardiovascular events, such as second strokes.
    The work of researchers at the National Human Genome Research 
Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) also holds great 
promise for the fight against heart disease. With the completion of 
their monumental project of mapping and sequencing all human 
chromosomes, we will soon have the capability to identify at birth all 
those who are genetically predisposed to heart disease and provide them 
with the treatment and guidance they need through the years to live 
longer, healthier lives.
    The Federal Government will continue to support research and public 
education to improve heart health through the National Heart, Lung, and 
Blood Institute, also at NIH. And all Americans should remain grateful 
that the American Heart Association, through its research and education 
programs

[[Page 208]]

and its vital network of dedicated volunteers, maintains a crucial role 
in bringing about much-needed advances in the prevention and treatment 
of heart disease.
    In recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against 
cardiovascular disease, the Congress, by Joint Resolution approved 
December 20, 1963 (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 101b), has requested that the 
President issue an annual proclamation designating February as 
``American Heart Month.''
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim February 2000 as American Heart 
Month. I 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 reaffirming our commitment 
to combating cardiovascular disease and strokes.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of 
February, in the year of our Lord two thousand, and of the Independence 
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., February 2, 
2000]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
February 3.