American Heart Month is February; this observance honors health professionals, researchers and heart health ambassadors whose dedication to fighting heart disease enables countless Americans to live full and active lives. The observance is focused on reducing the burden of heart disease by raising awareness, taking steps to improve individual heart health and encouraging colleagues, friends and family to do the same.
The American Heart Association’s (AHA) National Wear Red Day® is Friday, February 5, 2016. This day is an opportunity to encourage individuals, groups and companies to show their support in the fight against heart disease. Each year, on the first Friday in February, millions of women and men come together to wear red, take action and commit to fighting this deadly disease.
Great Plains QIN is actively working with providers, patients, partners and stakeholders to implement evidence-based practices that support the Million Hearts® initiative goal to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by the year 2017. Specifically, we are working to offer resources and assistance on preventive cardiovascular best practices – the ABCS (Aspirin Therapy, Blood Pressure Control, Cholesterol Control and Smoking Cessation); we are supporting home health agency participation in the national Home Health Cardiovascular Data Registry; and we are assisting physician clinics with Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) cardiovascular measures submission and working to empower individuals to make heart-healthy choices. Visit our website to learn more and access resources and tools (for both clinicians and consumers).
To get connected and involved in our efforts, join the Great Plains Learning and Action Network. It is an excellent way to access resources, materials and network with others. Join the Learning and Action Network today.
Below are a list of tools and campaign materials to assist in promoting American Heart Month. You can also visit our website for additional resources, links and tools.
The links to the official 2016 Wear Red Day poster are included below (in various sizes):
You can also spread awareness by adding the Wear Red Day banner to your Web site
Circulate the following podcasts on heart health to partners, providers, stakeholders and staff. The podcasts can also be posted on your website or shared on social media to spread the word and educate people about the importance of heart health and how to prevent cardiovascular disease:
- Healthy Hearts (A Minute of Health with CDC):
- Stop the “Silent Killer” (A Cup of Health with CDC)
- Keep the Blood Flowing (A Cup of Health with CDC)
We hope, through our efforts, individuals will receive better care, have better health outcomes and an overall better care experience. Partner with us; let’s make a difference together.