DHHS Goes Red with Campaign to Promote Heart Health and Fitness

Feb. 12, 2018 — NCDHHS’ Division of Public Health has “Gone Red” again this year with a new online messaging campaign to support the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women initiative and promote cardiovascular health and physical fitness.

This year’s Go Red campaign was organized by DPH staffers, including Danielle Schenk, Jeanne Chambers and Shamika Howell. They developed web and social media messages promoting cardiovascular health and fitness, featuring photos of their coworkers and families and personal messages related to heart health and exercise.

“This makes the campaign resonate with people on a more personal level,” said Cancer Prevention and Control Branch Head Debi Nelson. Her office oversees the Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) program that provides cardiovascular disease screening and related services to eligible women across the state. “Seeing people you know and reading about their experiences is fun, interesting and easy to empathize with.” 

“We’re very proud of the effort Danielle, Jeanne, Shamika and all of our staff put into this project to make it a success,” said Chronic Disease and Injury Section Chief Susan Kansagra, MD. “We hope this campaign will raise awareness and support in the fight against cardiovascular disease. Those small, daily health choices we all make related to diet and physical activity can be life changing.” 

According to the National Institutes of Health, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of illness and death in the United States and the number one killer of women, causing one in three deaths each year. NIH estimates that 40 percent of the population will have some form of cardiovascular disease by 2030. The rates are expected to be higher for African-American women.

The key to prevention, according to the American Heart Association, is the development and maintenance of cardiovascular health through ideal health behaviors, such as measuring blood pressure regularly, maintaining healthy weight, exercising regularly, choosing heart healthy foods and staying tobacco free.

The Chronic Disease and Injury Section offers several programs to help people manage their risks for developing cardiovascular disease. For more information, visit publichealth.nc.gov.