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THE HEART TRUTH CAMPAIGN OVERVIEWThe Heart Truth: Heart Disease is the #1 Killer of Women The Heart Truth is that one in four American women dies of heart disease, and most fail to make the connection between risk factors—such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol—and their personal risk of developing heart disease. The Heart Truth Campaign: Serious Messages about Women's Heart Health The Heart Truth is a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Through the campaign, NHLBI leads the nation in a landmark heart health awareness movement that is being embraced by millions who share the common goal of better heart health for all women. The Heart Truth campaign warns women about heart disease and provides tools to help them take action against its risk factors. It is primarily targeted to women ages 40 to 60, the time when a woman's risk of heart disease begins to increase. However, it's never too early—or too late—to take action to prevent and control risk factors since heart disease develops over time and can start at a young age—even in the teen years. The campaign message is paired with an arresting visual—the Red Dress—designed to warn women that heart disease is their #1 killer. The Heart Truth created and introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 to deliver an urgent wake-up call to American women. The Red Dress reminds women of the need to protect their heart health, and inspires them to take action. The Heart Truth partners include: The Office on Women's Health, DHHS; WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease; the American Heart Association; and other organizations committed to the health and well-being of women. Campaign Background The Heart Truth campaign began in response to recommendations of more than 70 experts in women's health who met in March 2001 to develop a national action plan to reduce the toll of heart disease on American women. The campaign was developed with input from partner organizations and focus groups with women conducted across the country. This research revealed that most women underestimate their personal risk and do not fully understand the devastating impact that heart disease has on one's life and family. The research strongly supported the urgent need to tell women about their risk of heart disease and how to lower it. What's a Red Dress Got to Do With It? The Red Dress was designed to build awareness that women are at risk for heart disease, and motivate them to take action to reduce their risk. The creative concept of a Red Dress tested well with diverse women who cited its ability to get attention, convey the seriousness of heart disease, and change the perception that it is only a man's issue. The symbol links a woman's focus on her "outer self" to the need to also focus on her "inner self," especially her heart health. The Red Dress serves as a red alert to convey the message that "Heart Disease Doesn't Care What You Wear—It's the #1 Killer of Women." Seeking to advance the symbol, The Heart Truth forged a groundbreaking collaboration between the Federal government and the fashion industry, an industry intrinsically tied to female audiences. As a result of this partnership, fashion leaders—including top designers, models, and celebrities—have demonstrated their support for the issue of women and heart disease by participating in The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collections at New York's Fashion Week annually since 2003. The Heart Truth launched the first Red Dress Collection at Fashion Week in February 2003, when 19 designers—from Vera Wang to Donna Karan to Oscar de la Renta—contributed red dresses for a stunning display under the Bryant Park tents. In February 2004, the fashion platform expanded with the creation of the first annual National Wear Red Day and the same–day debut of Red Dress Collection 2004—a fashion show featuring red dresses from the industry's elite designers worn by top fashion models and celebrities. The campaign returned to center–stage in February 2005 and 2006, and again in 2007 for its fifth year at New York Fashion Week, with celebrity–studded fashion shows. Some of the world's most recognized stars have walked the runway for The Heart Truth in new collections of designer red dresses including: Sheryl Crow, Kelly Ripa, Venus Williams, Angela Bassett, Rachael Ray, Christie Brinkley, Thalia, Vaness Williams, Billie Jean King, Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, Lindsay Lohan, LeAnn Rimes, Christina Milian, Fergie, and Eartha Kitt. National Wear Red Day The Heart Truth and many individuals and organizations celebrate National Wear Red Day on the first Friday of February each year. On this day, Americans nationwide wear red to join the national movement to alert women of their risk of heart disease. Men and women can participate by wearing a red dress, shirt, tie, or the Red Dress Pin. The Red Dress Pin is available at www.hearttruth.gov. Mrs. Laura Bush: The Heart Truth Ambassador Mrs. Laura Bush has been the national ambassador for The Heart Truth campaign since Valentine's Day 2003. Since then, as part of her Women's Health and Wellness Initiative, Mrs. Bush has been leading the Federal government's effort to give women a personal and urgent wake-up call about their risk of heart disease. She attended the launch of The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection at Fashion Week in February 2003, and she hosted an American Heart Month kick-off event at the White House in February 2004. She also attended The Heart Truth's activities at Fashion Week in New York in 2004 and 2005. In May 2005, The Heart Truth 's First Ladies Red Dress Collection debuted in a special exhibit at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The Collection featured red dresses and suits worn by seven of America's First Ladies, including Laura Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford, and Claudia (Lady Bird) Johnson. In 2007, Mrs. Bush participated in two Heart Truth Roundtables with leaders in the heart disease awareness movement, and she visited The Heart Truth's First Ladies Red Dress Collection exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Museum Library in California. Campaign Resources and Activities The campaign offers a wide variety of resources to help individuals and local communities spread The Heart Truth, including:
Making A Difference The Heart Truth is making progress in the fight against heart disease in women. More women are aware that heart disease is their leading cause of death, up from 34 percent of women in 2000 to 57 percent of women in 2006. Women are learning about the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease—about 57 percent of women were aware of the symbol in 2007. More women are living longer, healthier lives, and fewer are dying of heart disease. But challenges remain, and many women still do not take heart disease seriously and personally. The Heart Truth campaign will continue to build awareness among women and motivate them to take action for heart health. For more information, visit www.hearttruth.gov. To access camera-ready artwork, as well as photography and other creative materials for The Heart Truth campaign, visit http://share.hearttruth.com. |