Henry & Stark County Health Department & First Choice Healthcare Note National Wear Red Day – Friday, February 2nd

RaeAnn Tucker
Director of Health Promotion
January 26, 2024

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare locations in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon; in conjunction with the American Heart Association, announce that Friday, February 2nd has been designated as National Wear Red Day.  This important health observance is noted to help focus attention on women and heart disease. 

    RaeAnn Tucker, Director of Health Promotion with the Henry and Stark County Health Departments notes, "Women often do not take their risk of heart disease seriously or personally.  However, Heart Disease is the number 1 killer of women, killing more than all forms of cancer combined.  Many of these deaths can be prevented, but most women don't notice the symptoms until it's too late.  That's why it's been called the silent killer.  You can help increase awareness of women's heart health by wearing red, speaking up, and uniting with millions of women to help save lives across America." 

    The Health Department and First Choice Healthcare offers the following Heart Health facts: 

*   Heart disease is the number one killer of American women age 20 and over, killing   approximately one woman every minute.

*   One in every 3 women dies of heart disease.  One in every 30 dies of breast cancer.

*   90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.

*   Americans can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82% by just leading a healthy life. 

    Risk factors are habits or conditions that increase the chance of developing a disease.  Many of the risk factors for heart disease can be prevented or controlled.  Having more than one risk factor is especially serious.  Women should talk to a health professional about their individual risks and how to lower them. 

Risk factors for heart disease include: 

*   Smoking   *   High Blood Pressure    *   Diabetes

*   High Blood Cholesterol   *   Obesity     * Physical Inactivity     

*   Age    * Family history of heart disease 

    For more information on heart health and the services of the First Choice Healthcare Clinics may call the location nearest you in KEWANEE 309-852-5272, COLONA 309-792-4011, or Toulon 309-852-3115 or find us on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or First Choice Healthcare, or follow us on Twitter or Instagram.