TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders will proclaim Feb. 3 as “National Wear Red Day” to promote awareness and understanding of heart disease as a key element in every woman’s overall health and wellness in Ocean County and the United States.
“We join with the Ocean County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women and the American Heart Association in celebrating the extraordinary progress in women’s heart health and recognize that providing resources to help women safeguard their health is imperative,” said Freeholder Virginia E. Haines, who serves as liaison to the Advisory Commission on the Status of Women. “Promoting awareness of women’s health issues, including heart disease, is an important responsibility of the commission and its many collaborative partners.”
The Freeholders are encouraging everyone on Feb. 3 to help raise awareness of women’s health and heart disease by wearing red.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States one in four women die from heart disease as many women remain unaware of heart disease as a risk factor when considering their wellness. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, genetics, age and other factors contribute to heart disease risk.
“We encourage everyone to engage in preventative actions such as education, health screenings, a commitment to healthy habits and regular doctor visits to protect against heart disease,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari.
In recognition of “National Wear Red Day” in Ocean County, community organizations including local hospitals will be providing health services to women and in cooperation with the Ocean County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women, will be presenting events targeting awareness, empowerment and prevention to reduce women’s heart disease risks throughout the entire month of February.
For more information, sign up for the Ocean County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women’s mailing list at www.co.ocean.nj.us/OC/OCDHS and click on Women’s Commission.
