American Heart Month, 2012

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8775 of January 31, 2012

American Heart Month, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Every year, heart disease takes the lives of over half
a million Americans, and it remains the leading cause
of death in the United States. This devastating
epidemic leaves no one untouched; its victims are
fathers and daughters, grandparents and siblings,
cherished friends and community members across our
country. This month, we remember the steps each of us
can take to reduce the risk of heart disease and
recommit to better heart health for all Americans.

While genetic or hereditary factors play a part in many
instances of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol,
high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity,
tobacco use, and alcohol abuse are major risk factors
that can be prevented or controlled. To take action
against heart disease, I encourage all Americans to
make balanced and nutritious meal choices, maintain a
healthy weight, and get active. Avoiding tobacco,
moderating alcohol consumption, and working with a
health care provider can also help prevent or treat
conditions that can lead to heart disease. Additional
resources on how to reduce the risk of cardiovascular
disease are available at: www.CDC.gov/HeartDisease.

To help win the fight against heart disease, my
Administration is working to ensure individuals and
communities have the tools they need to make real gains
in this critical effort. Last September, we launched
the Million Hearts initiative, which is coordinating
programs across Federal agencies and forging new
public-private partnerships to prevent one million
heart attacks and strokes over the next 5 years.
Resources on how to join the initiative are available
at: MillionHearts.HHS.gov. To secure our children's
heart health and end childhood obesity within a
generation, First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move!
initiative is encouraging healthy eating habits and
promoting physical activity among families and young
people. The National Institutes of Health is pursuing
cutting-edge research to unlock new treatments for
cardiovascular disease. And the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention is working in communities across
our country to help reduce risk factors and prevent
heart disease.

During American Heart Month, we also highlight The
Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign that urges
women of all ages to know their risk for heart disease.
In recognition of this vital task, I encourage men and
women across America to observe National Wear Red Day
on Friday, February 3, and to show their support by
wearing red or the campaign's Red Dress Pin. To learn
more about The Heart Truth or National Wear Red Day,
visit: www.HeartTruth.gov.

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
2012 as American Heart Month,

and I invite all Americans to participate in National
Wear Red Day on February 3, 2012. 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 twelve, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
sixth.