American Heart Month, 2011

Vol. 76

Thursday,

No. 23

February 3, 2011

Part IV

The President

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Proclamation 8625--American Heart Month, 2011

Proclamation 8626--National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and
Prevention Month, 2011

Executive Order 13564--Establishment of the President's Council on Jobs
and Competitiveness

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8625 of January 31, 2011

American Heart Month, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Heart disease is a staggering health problem and a
leading cause of death for American women and men.
Thankfully, there are steps each of us can take to
prevent this chronic disease. In a time when one in
three adults in the United States is living with some
form of cardiovascular disease, American Heart Month
provides an important reminder that it is never too
early to take action to improve our heart health.

All Americans should be aware of risk factors that can
lead to heart disease, including: high blood pressure,
high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical
inactivity, tobacco use, and family history. Practicing
everyday habits such as eating a balanced diet,
maintaining a healthy weight, limiting sodium
consumption, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco,
and moderating alcohol intake can reduce these risks.
Each of us can be proactive about our well being, and
my Administration is committed to helping Americans
protect themselves from chronic conditions like heart
disease. Under the Affordable Care Act, all new
individual and group health plans must now provide
recommended preventive care and services without a
copayment, coinsurance, or deductible. These
potentially life-saving screenings include blood
pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and body mass index
tests, as well as counseling on quitting smoking,
losing weight, and eating well. To learn more about the
risk factors and prevention of heart disease, I
encourage all Americans to visit: www.CDC.gov/HeartDisease HeartDisease.

To save lives in the fight against cardiovascular
disease, my Administration is investing in world-class
research to prevent and treat this and other chronic
diseases. We are also continuing to raise awareness of
heart disease and its risk factors among Americans of
all ages. First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move!
initiative is safeguarding healthier hearts for the
next generation by addressing the factors that
contribute to childhood obesity and its serious health
consequences. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute's The Heart Truth campaign sends women of all
ages an urgent message about their risk of heart
disease. In support of women's heart health, I
encourage all Americans to wear red or the campaign's
Red Dress Pin on National Wear Red Day on Friday,
February 4 in honor of the movement to increase
awareness of women's heart disease. Learn more by
visiting: www.HeartTruth.gov.

During American Heart Month, we honor the health
professionals, researchers, and heart health
ambassadors whose dedication enables countless
Americans to live full and active lives. This month,
let us rededicate ourselves to reducing the burden of
heart disease by raising awareness, taking steps to
improve our own heart health, and encouraging our
colleagues, friends, and family to do the same.

In acknowledgement of the importance of the ongoing
fight against cardiovascular disease, the Congress, by
Joint Resolution approved December 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
2011 as American Heart Month, and I invite all
Americans to participate in National Wear Red Day on
February 4, 2011. 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
thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord
two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fifth.