Sioux Falls S.D. (KELO AM) - Live Well Sioux Falls and the American Heart Association celebrated a special golden anniversary today, marking 50 years of American Heart Month.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans,” said Jill Franken, Public Health Director for the City of Sioux Falls. “And contrary to what many believe, heart disease isn’t just for men. More women die of heart disease and stroke each year than men, and it’s been that way every year since 1984.”
Live Well Sioux Falls and the American Heart Association came together to kick off American Heart Month today and to introduce a new resource for Sioux Falls residents that will help people to live well.
“We are committed to helping people live heart-healthy lifestyles,” said Chrissy Meyer, Corporate Events Director for the American Heart Association. “It is especially important for women, because 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease. And, cardiovascular diseases cause one in three women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute.”
The American Heart Association is offering several programs this month to raise awareness of heart disease, including National Wear Red Day and the Red Dress Dash on Friday, February 7, and the Go Red for Women Luncheon on February 21.
“We encourage everyone to wear red this Friday—women and men—to help us raise awareness of our nation’s number one killer,” said Meyer. “Heart disease is no match for the power of our voices.”
Meyer added that National Wear Red Day isn’t just about wearing something red, but is about helping people live a longer, stronger life.
A new tool available to help Sioux Falls residents live a healthier life is a new website created by Live Well Sioux Falls, a community-wide health initiative led by the Sioux Falls Health Department.
“We know that seven of ten deaths in our country are caused by chronic diseases such as heart disease,” said Franken. “While that number is significant and serious, the good news is that many chronic diseases can be prevented. When we focus on behaviors such as good nutrition, physical activity, and quitting smoking, we are taking steps toward a longer, healthier life. This new website has resources to help people Breathe Well, Eat Well, Feel Well, and Move Well.”
Features of www.livewellsiouxfalls.org include a recipe center, a calendar of healthy events in the community, worksite wellness resources for employers, and a place to sign up for the Live Well Sioux Falls e-newsletter.