Awareness Months 2022

Happy American Stroke Month! The American Heart Association is focusing on women and the unique risk factors that may put them at a higher risk for stroke. About 55,000 more women than men have a stroke every year and it’s the No. 4 cause of death for women. Most strokes can be prevented. In honor of Stroke Month, we ask all women to make a commitment to reclaim today for a better tomorrow.

Below are simple ways anyone can help:

• WATCH + SHARE the PSA.

• TEST your knowledge of women’s unique risk factors for stroke with this quiz.

• GET MOVING + BE INSPIRED by the special Together We Defeat Stroke playlist on Pandora, a compilation of suggestions from stroke survivors 

• USE the Women and Stroke infographic (Spanish version here) to raise awareness about what puts women at a higher risk for stroke.

• ENSURE that everyone knows How to Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home.
• FOLLOW the AHA on Social Media, and post-campaign messages.
• LEARN the acronym F.A.S.T. at www.stroke.org/strokemonth and find additional campaign information.

Thank you for raising awareness about stroke in May!

February is Heart Month, an opportunity to raise awareness to the fact that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease, and it can be prevented.

The information below has been provided by National Forum Members and organized in this central location to be easily accessed, utilized and shared for better heart health.

• The White House – Issued A Proclamation for American Heart Month.
• The Alliance for Aging Research – has marked February 22 as National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day. The goal of the campaign to increase recognition of the specific risks and symptoms of heart valve disease, improve detection and treatment, and ultimately save lives. Show your friends, family, and followers that you support Valve Disease Day by taking the pledge! Sign the pledge form and then let folks on social media know that you’ve taken action. This is great way for the patients, champions, clinicians, and other advocates in your networks to show their support and drum up excitement for the big day on February 22^nd. It’s easy to use the handy graphics, prepared social media posts, and fun Instagram and Facebook filters which you can find here. Be sure to use #ValveDiseaesDay in your posts and encourage others to do the same!
• The American Heart Association – “Go Red for Women” movement warns that cardiovascular diseases continue to be a woman’s greatest health threat, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. That’s a third of mothers, sisters and friends. There is also a new 2030 Impact Goal focuses on helping everyone everywhere live healthier, longer. There will be many new ways for communities and organizations to get involved. Learn more at professional.heart.org
• The American Kidney Fund – Has launched a new Kidney Health Coach Training Program . This no-cost, kidney disease education training module covers the essentials of kidney disease. The content of KHC is suitable for lay individuals to create awareness of kidney disease within community and workplace settings; and also as a tool for health professionals to educate their patients about preventing and managing kidney disease. Kidney Health Coach is available in both English and Spanish and qualifies as continuing education (CE) credit for eligible health professionals. Access social media graphics and the partner toolkit and which includes additional information about KHC, sample social media posts, and a link to the Kidney Health Coach training course.
• CDC – is promoting messages and resources to encourage people to talk with loved ones and healthcare providers about how to prevent and manage high cholesterol.
• Live To The Beat Campaign – “aims to help adults take steps to prevent heart disease and stroke.” – Join the virtual dance party February 23rd with DJ Jazzy Jeff. 
• The National Forum – is offering use of a full suite of social media messages and videos  that raise women’s intent to talk with their families and clinicians about cholesterol and how to manage it.
• The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute has provided an outreach toolkit  that includes social media resources, fact sheets, drop in articles, slides and flyers.
• WomenHeart’s #29DaysOfHeart campaign uplifts the voices of black women and highlights their own heart journeys.  We will host a four-week series of interviews LIVE on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube – tune in each Friday at 1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT. We invite you to Partner with us! Partnership entails sharing graphics and messages to raise awareness on your own channels and/or sharing and engaging with WomenHeart’s posts throughout the month. You can access graphics and sample social media messages on our #29DaysofHeart website.  In return you will be added to our list of Supporting and Partnering Organizations on the page.